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Test report 7425
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.
The DLG-Approved-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 Framework 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 – brief summary
The Animattress I 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 cubicle mattress, the abrasion resistance, the slip resistance, the acid resistance, the cleaning distance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied. The deformability and elasticity in new condition and following permanent tread load were significantly better than standard.
Requirements of DIN 3763 are fulfilled. Deformation and Elasticity corresponds to class 4 DIN 3763.
Table 1: Overview of results
| DLG quality profile | Evaluation |
| Deformability and elasticity in new condition | ■■■■■* |
| Deformability and elasticity following endurance test | ■■■■■* |
| Lasting deformation following endurance test | ■■■■■* |
| Slight wear following endurance test | ■■■* |
| Abrasion/Wear 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 | ■■■*** |
| Slip resistance | ■■** |
| Cleaning distance with flat jet nozzle | ■■■* |
| Cleaning distance with a coarse dirt remover | ■■■■* |
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 Animattress I cubicle mattress tested here is an elastic floor covering for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses.
- Thickness: approx. 53 mm
- Top cover: black rubber mat, upper side with silkscreen structure
- Under side: with white woven textile, thickness approx. 4.5 mm
- Shore A hardness: approx. 75
- Mattress underlay: made of approx. 48 mm thick PU foam sheet which is covered with an approx. 1 mm thick colourless film
- Laid as sheeting
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.
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 was carried out. Test samples (size 30 mm 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.
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 penetration tests in new condition with a calotte (r = 120 mm), penetration depth was 25.7 mm. The resulting calculated bearing pressure of 10.3 N/cm² indicates a low 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 increased from 25.7 mm to 27.7 mm. The bearing pressure decreased from 10.3 N/cm² to 9.6 N/cm² (see Fig. 3). This means that deformability and elasticity slightly inwcrease.
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.
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).
Abrasion test
The abrasion depth after 10,000 cycles amounted to 1.0 mm, this corresponds to approximately 17 % of the rubber thickness.
Of the ground surface 3.4 grams were rubbed off.
Acid resistance
The cover mat of the mattress was limited resistant against the feed acid mixture, ammonia solution and barn disinfection liquid and resistant against the other used test liquids.
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 cover mat seems to be satisfactory suited for the described
use.
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 35 cm (with a coarse dirt remover) and 20 cm (with a flat-jet nozzle) was not kept.
For cleaning and disinfection of the floor cover, only the cleaning agents permitted by the manufacturer should be used.
Table 4: 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 | fleece on the back little color changing | fleece on the back color changing | limited resistant | |
| Excrement acids | ||||
| Uric acid | saturated urea solution (0.4%) | no changing | no changing | resistant |
| Sulfurous acid | 5-6 % SO2 | no changing | no changing | resistant |
| Ammonia solution | 32 % solution | no changing | fleece on the back in solution | limited resistant |
| Disinfection liquid | ||||
| Barn Disinfection liquid | 2 %-solution of a product with formic acid and glyoxyl acid | no changing | fleece on the back color changing | limited resistant |
| Peracetic acid | 3000 ppm | no changing | no changing | resistant |
Based on test-stand investigations, the criteria tested in this DLG Approved Test evaluate the comfort and durability properties of the Animattress I for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses. The tested cow mattress met the requirements of DIN 3763 and the DLG Testing Framework with respect to the investigated criteria.
Manufacturer and Applicant
Animat Inc.
395 Rodolphe Racine
CA J1R OS7
Sherbrooke Canada
Contact
Phone 0060 819 821 2091 222
Telefax 0060 819 821 2879
psavary@animat.ca
www.animat.com
Test implementation
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