Al Khaleej TerraTuf Bubble walking and lying rubber mat for cattle

DLG APPROVED "Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Slip resistance, Acid resistance"

DLG approved Label 7419

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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.

Al Khaleej TerraTuf Bubble walking and lying rubber mat for cattle

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 profileEvaluation
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.

Deformation measurement
Figure 2: Deformation measurement
Deformability as a function of bearing pressure
Figure 3a (lying measuremen): Deformability as a function of bearing pressure
Deformability as a function of bearing pressure
Figure 3b (walking measurement): Deformability as a function of bearing pressure

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. 

Test sample after abrasion test
Figure 4: Test sample after abrasion test
Slip resistance measurement
Figure 5: Slip resistance measurement
Test samples after acid test
Figure 6: Test samples after acid test

Table 2: Test liquids and results – acid resistance

Test liquidConcentrationResult
after 24 hours
residence time
Result
after 28 days
residence time
Evaluation
Feed acid mixture    
 concentrate, pH 2no changingno changingresistant
Excrement acids    
Uric acidsaturated urea solution (0.4%)no changingno changingresistant
Sulfurous acid5-6 % SO2no changingloss of glosslimited resistant
Ammonia solution32 % solutionno changingno changingresistant
Disinfection liquid    
Barn Disinfection liquid2 %-solution of a product with
formic acid and glyoxyl acid
no changingloss of gloss/roughlimited resistant
Peracetic acid3000 ppmno changingloss of gloss/roughlimited resistant

Summary

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.

Applicant and test implementation

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