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Test report 7419
The approval
A test mark “DLG APPROVED for individual criteria“ is awarded for agricultural products which have successfully fulfilled a scope-reduced usability testing conducted by DLG according to independent and recognised evaluation criteria. The test is intended to highlight particular innovations and key criteria of the test object. The test may contain criteria from the DLG test scope for overall tests, or focus on other value-determining characteristics and properties of the test subject. The minimum requirements, test conditions and procedures as well as the evaluation bases of the test results will be specified in consultation with an expert group of DLG. They correspond to the recognised rules of technology, as well as scientific and agricultural knowledge and requirements. The successful testing is concluded with the publication of a test report, as well as the awarding of the test mark which is valid for five years from the date of awarding.
he DLG Appoved Test “Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Slip resistance, Acid resistance” 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 Frameworks for elastic stable flooring, as of December 2018 and DIN 3763:2022-08 (Elastic floorings for cattle and dairy cows walking and rest surfaces – Requirements and testing).
Other criteria were not investigated.
Assessment in brief
The TerraTuf Bubble walking and lying rubber mat tested here, an elastic floor covering in the lying area in high boxes and flatly fixed running surfaces in cubicle stables, was investigated with regard to durability and comfort properties on test stands in the DLG Test. The deformability and elasticity of the cubicle mat, the abrasion resistance, the slip resistance, the acid resistance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied.
Requirements DIN 3763 are fulfilled with the exception of the results for wear after endurance test.
Deformation and Elasticity for lying measurement corresponds to class 1 DIN 3763.
Table 1: Overview of results
| DLG Quality profile | Evaluation |
| Lying measurement deformability and elasticity in new condition * | ■■■ |
| Lying measurement deformability and elasticity following endurance test * | ■■■ |
| Lasting deformation following 100.000 endurance test * | ■■■■■ |
| Clear wear and tear, minor damage following 100.000 endurance test * | ■■ |
| Walking measurement deformability and elasticity in new condition * | ■■■■■ |
| Walking measurement deformability and elasticity following endurance test * | ■■■■■ |
| Lasting deformation following 250.000 endurance test * | ■■■■■ |
| Clear wear and tear, minor damage following 250.000 endurance test * | ■■ |
| Slip resistance ** | ■■ |
| Resistance to feed acid mixture *** | ■■■ |
| Resistance to uric acid *** | ■■■ |
| Resistance to sulfurous acid *** | ■■ |
| Resistance to ammonia *** | ■■■ |
| Resistance to barn disinfectants *** | ■■ |
| Resistance to peracetic acid *** | ■■ |
| Abrasion/Wear resistance * | ■■■ |
DLG Evaluation range:
* ■ ■ ■ or better = meets, exceeds or significantly exceeds the established DLG standards,
■ ■ = meets the legal requirements for marketability, ■ = failed
** Single criteria slip resistance: ■ ■ = passed, ■ = failed
*** Single criteria acid resistance: ■ ■ ■ = resistant, ■ ■ = limited resistant, ■ = failed
The product
Description and Technical Data
The TerraTuf Bubble walking and lying floor covering tested here, is an elastic floor covering in the lying area in high boxes and paved plan running surfaces in cubicle stables. Black rubber mat with knobs profile on the top and grooves on the underside
- Thickness of the rubber mat: approx. 17.8 mm
- Height of the knobs: approx. 3.4 mm,
- Diameter of the knobs: approx. 11.4 mm
- Width of the grooves: approx. 13 mm
- Depth of the grooves: approx. 4.6 mm
The method
Deformability and elasticity
Lying measurement
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).
Walking measurement
The deformability is determined in new condition and after the continuous tread load with a cow’s foot modeled steel base and a penetration force of 2,000 N (approx. 200 kg). Where: the “artificial cow’s foot” in its dimensions is the one used in the continuous tread load.
Permanent tread load
Lying measurement
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).
Walking measurement
The measurement of the continuous tread load is carried out with 250,000 alternating loads at 5,000 N (corresponds to approx. 500 kg) on a test bench with a round steel foot. 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.
Slip resistance
The measurements were carried out with the ComfortControl test rig of the DLG test centre. A loaded (10 kg) round plastic foot (105 mm diameter, with a contact area of 75 cm2, 3 mm wide ring at the periphery of the ground) was pulled with a velocity of 20 mm/s across the mat.
Acid resistance
A permanent dipping test in accordance to DIN 3763:2022-08 (performance of synthetic material against liquid chemicals) was carried out. Test samples (size 30 x 30 mm) were completely dipped into 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 were measured.
Additional visual evaluation was done for alterations like colour changing, swelling, destruction or crystallisation. All samples were evaluated in comparison to the standard water.
Detailed account of the test results
Deformability and elasticity
Lying measurement
In the ball penetration tests in new condition with a calotte (r = 120 mm), penetration depth was 5.5 mm. The resulting calculated bearing pressure of 48.2 N/cm² indicates a 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 penetration depth of the calotte decreased from 5.5 mm to 5.2 mm. The bearing pressure increased from 48.2 N/cm² to 51.0 N/cm² (see Fig. 3). This means that deformability and elasticity slightly decrease.
Walking measurement
In the impression tests with an artificial cow foot was the depth of penetration of the walkway surface in new condition 4.0 mm. The calculated bearing pressure is 26.67 N/cm². The elasticity was measured after the permanent load tread by a steel base (contact area 75 cm²) with 250.000 alternating loads measured at 5,000 N.
The depth of penetration decreased after the endurance test of 4.0 mm to 3.9 mm. This means, that deformability and elasticity of the walkway covering slightly decrease.
Permanent tread load
Lying measurement
Clear wear and minor damage to the surface of the mat was observed following exposure to permanent tread load on a test stand with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N. No lasting deformation was observed.
Walking measurement
After the continuous tread load on a test standwith 250.000 alternating loads at 5.000 N there was observed clear wear and minor damage on the surface of the mat. No lasting deformation was observed.
Abrasion test
The abrasion depth after 10,000 cycles amounted to 4.0 mm, this corresponds to approximately 22.5 % of the rubber thickness. Of the ground surface 5.7 grams were rubbed off. The abrasion depth and the grit implicate a satisfactory wear resistance of the cow mat.
Slip Resistance
The slide pulling tests showed a good slip resistance on the dry or wet rubber mat surface in new condition. The measured friction coefficients (μ) surpassed the minimal value of μ = 0,40 (DIN 3763) and μ = 0.45 (DLG test program).
Acid resistance
The rubber mat was limited resisitant against sulphurous acid, barn disinfectant liquid and peracetic acid and resistant to the other tested liquids.
The differences in weight, thickness and Shore A hardness between the acid treated and not acid treated samples lay in the range of water as standard.
Against the used liquids the rubber mat seems to be satisfactory for the described use.
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 | no changing | resistant |
| Sulfurous acid | 5-6 % SO2 | no changing | loss of gloss | limited 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 | loss of gloss/rough | limited resistant |
| Peracetic acid | 3000 ppm | no changing | loss of gloss/rough | limited resistant |
Based on test-stand investigations, the criteria tested in this DLG Approved Test evaluate the comfort and durability properties of the TerraTuf Bubble cow mat for use in the lying area in high boxes and plan walking ways in cubicle stables. The tested cow mat met the requirements of DIN 3763, with the exception of the results for wear after continuous tread load and the DLG Testing Framework with respect to the investigated criteria.
Manufacturer and Applicant
Al Khaleej Polymers Rubber & Plastic Industries LLC
Plot No. L7 & 28
Al Ghail Industrial Park
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Contact:
Phone +971 55 930 6272
murtaza.m@akhpolymers.com
www.terrainfloorings.com
Test implementation
Testing agency
DLG TestService GmbH,
Gross-Umstadt location, Germany
The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.
DLG test framework
DLG Testing Framework for elastic stable flooring, as of December 2018
DIN 3763:2022-08 (Elastic floorings for cattle and dairy cows walking and rest surfaces – Requirements and testing)
Department
Agriculture
Head of Department
Dr. Michael Eise
Test engineer(s)
Dr. Harald Reubold*
* Author
Contact us
DLG TestService GmbH - Groß-Umstadt location • Max-Eyth-Weg 1 • 64823 Groß-Umstadt • Tel: +49 69 24 788-600 • tech@DLG.org