Animat cow mattress Animattress III

Table 1: Overview of results

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

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

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.

Deformability and elasticity

In the ball penetration tests in new condition with a calotte (r = 120 mm), penetration depth was 10.1 mm. The resulting calculated bearing pressure of 26.2 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 10.1 mm to 10.7 mm. The bearing pressure decreased from 26.2 N/cm² to 24.8 N/cm² (see Fig. 4). This means that deformability and elasticity slightly increase.

Permanent tread load

No noticeable wear 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.

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.

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 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. 

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.

Table 4: Test liquids and results – acid resistance