Animat Cow Mattress Animattress III
DLG-APPROVED: Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Acid resistance, Cleaning distance
DLG-APPROVED Single value-determining criteria A quality mark “DLG-APPROVED for single value-determining criteria” is awarded to agricultural products which successfully passed a smaller-scope DLG usability test according to independent and recognized evaluation criteria. The test intends to highlight special innovations and key criteria of the test item. The test can focus on criteria from the DLG testing framework for full tests or on other individual features or qualitative criteria. The minimum requirements, the test conditions and procedures as well as the evaluation guidelines of the test results are determined in consultation with a DLG expert group. They comply with the generally recognized technology rules as well as with scientific and agricultural knowledge and requirements. The successful test concludes with the publishing of a test report and the awarding of a quality mark which is valid for five years following the award date.
The DLG Approved Test “Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Acid resistance, Cleaning distance” includes technical measurements on test stands of the DLG Test Center. The deformability and elasticity, the abrasion resistance, the slip resistance, the acid resistance, the cleaning distance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied. The test was based on the DLG Testing Framework for elastic stable flooring, as at April 2010. Other criteria were not investigated.
Assessment – Brief Summary
The Animattress III tested here, an elastic floor covering for the resting area in cubicle houses, was investigated with regard to durability and comfort properties on test stands in the DLG Approved Test. The deformability and elasticity of the rubber mat, the abrasion resistance, the acid resistance, the cleaning distance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied.
Table 1: Overview of results
| Test characteristic | Test result | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Deformability and elasticity * | ||
| – in new condition | 10.1 mm, good | + |
| – following endurance test | 10.7 mm, good | + |
| Permanent tread load | ||
| no lasting deformation | ++ | |
| no noticeable wear | + | |
| Abrasion test* | ||
| good wear resistance | + | |
| Acid resistance** | ||
| Feed acid mixture | resistant | + |
| Uric acid | limited resistant | ◯ |
| Sulfurous acid | resistant | + |
| Ammonia solution | resistant | + |
| Disinfection liquid | resistant | + |
| Peracetic acid | resistant | + |
| Cleaning distance* | ||
| with flat jet nozzle | 20 cm | ◯ |
| with a coarse dirt remover | 45 cm | ◯ |
The Product
Animattress III cubicle mattress
Description and Technical Data
The Animattress III cubicle mattress tested here is an elastic floor covering for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses; it has a thickness of approx. 32 mm. Black rubber mat
- upper side with pebble surface
- under side with conical knops in two sizes
- big knops 20 mm high and 29 mm at the bottom and 21 mm at the top
- small knops 13 mm high and 29 mm at the bottom and 25 mm at the top
- Shore A hardness: approx. 70
- laid as single mat
The Method
Deformability and elasticity
The deformability is measured in new condition and following permanent tread load using ball penetration tests with a calotte (r = 120 mm) and a penetration force of 2,000 N (corresponding to approx. 200 kg).
Permanent tread load
The permanent tread load is measured on a test stand with a round steel foot in the standard test programme with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N (corresponding to approx. 1,000 kg). The steel foot is adapted to the natural conditions as an “artificial cow foot”. The foot has a diameter of 105 mm and therefore a contact area of 75 cm²; the carrying edge of the hoof is simulated by a 5 mm wide ring on the periphery of the sole that projects 1 mm above the rest of the surface.
Abrasion test
In a standardised abrasion test with 10.000 cycles the top cover was grinded with an emery cloth (granulation 280) and a grinding pressure of 500 N (= 8.1 N/cm2 surface pressure). The friction element was cooled continuous with water to prevent an influence of the generated heat during the abrasion test. The size of the grinded area was 61,5 cm².
Acid resistance
A permanent dipping test in accordance to DIN EN ISO 175:2000 (performance of synthetic material against liquid chemicals) was carried out. Test samples (size 30 mm x 30 mm) were complete dipped in different test liquids for 24 hours and 28 days (room temperature 20° Celsius). In the 28 days test the liquids were changed weekly. After the 28 days the samples were washed with distillate water and dried for 24 hours. Before and after the dipping the weight, the dimensions and the shore hardness (shore A) of the test samples was measured. Additional a visual evaluation was done for alterations like colour changing, swelling, destruction or crystallisation. All samples were evaluated in comparison to the standard water.
Cleaning distance
In test stand trials with a high pressure cleaner (approximately 145 bar, exposure period 1 minute with a 25° flat jet nozzle and a coarse dirt remover) the distance was measured where no damage occurs.
The Test Results in Detail
Deformability and elasticity
In the ball indentation tests in new condition with a calotte (r = 120 mm), indentation depth was 10.1 mm. The resulting calculated bearing pressure of 26.2 N/cm² indicates a still relatively small load on the carpal joints when lying down and getting up. Elasticity was measured following a permanent tread load exerted by a steel foot (contact area: 75 cm²) with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N. Following the endurance test, the indentation depth of the calotte increased from 10.1 mm to 10.7 mm. The bearing pressure decreased from 26.2 N/cm² to 24.8 N/cm² (see Fig. 2). This means that deformability and elasticity slightly increase.
Evaluation see table 1.
Permanent tread load
Slight wear was observed on the top cover following exposure to permanent tread load on a test stand with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N. No lasting
deformation was observed.
Evaluation see table 1.
Abrasion test
The abrasion depth after 10,000 cycles amounted to 1.0 mm, this corresponds to approximately 3 % of the rubber thickness. Of the ground surface 4.0 grams were rubbed off.
Evaluation see table 1.
Acid resistance
The rubber mat was limited resistant against Uric acid and resistant against the other test liquids used. The differences in weight, thickness and Shore A hardness between the acid treated and not acid treated samples were minor and lay in the range of water as standard. Against the used liquids the rubber mat seems to be satisfactorily suited for the described use.
Evaluation see table 1.
Cleaning distance
In test stand trials with a high pressure cleaner damage to the cover of the mattress only occurred when a minimum distance of 45 cm (with a coarse dirt remover) and 20 cm (with a flat-jet nozzle) was not kept. For cleaning and disinfection of the floor covering only the cleaning agents permitted by the manufacturer should be used.
Evaluation see table 1.
Table 2: Test liquids and results acid resistance
| Test liquid | concentration | result after 24 hours residence time | result after 28 days residence time | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed acid mixture | ||||
| concentrate, pH 2 | no changing | no changing | resistant | |
| Excrement acids | ||||
| Uric acid | saturated urea solution (0,4%) | no changing | surface with color change | limited resistant |
| Sulfurous acid | 5-6 % SO2 | no changing | no changing | resistant |
| Ammonia solution | 32% solution | no changing | no changing | resistant |
| Disinfection liquid | ||||
| Barn Disinfection liquid | 2%-solution of a product with formic acid and glyoxyl acid | no changing | no changing | resistant |
| Peracetic acid | 3000 ppm | no changing | no changing | resistant |
Summary
Based on test-stand examinations, the criteria tested in this DLG Approved Test evaluate the comfort and durability properties of the Animattress III for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses. The tested Animattress III met the requirements of the testing framework with respect to the investigated criteria.
Manufacturer and Applicant
Animat Inc.,
395 Rodolphe Racine,
CA J1R OS7, Sherbrooke Canada
Contakt:
Telephone: 0060 819 821 2091 222
Telefax: 0060 819 821 2879
psavary@animat.ca
www.animat.com
Test execution
DLG e.V.,
Test Center
Technology and Farm Inputs,
Max-Eyth-Weg 1,
64823 Groß-Umstadt
Germany
DLG Testing Framework
DLG Approved Test
“Elastic Stable Flooring”
(as at 04/2010)
Field
Indoor operations
Project manager
Dipl.-Ing. Susanne Gäckler
Test engineer(s)
Dr. Harald Reubold *
* Reporting engineer
Contact
DLG TestService GmbH - Groß-Umstadt location • Max-Eyth-Weg 1 64823 Groß-Umstadt Germany • Tel.: +49(0)69 24 788-611 • tech@DLG.org