DeLaval rubber mat RM 21BS

DLG-APPROVED: "Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Slip resistance, Acid resistance, Cleaning distance"

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Test report 6817

The approval

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, Slip resistance, Cleaning distance” includes technical measurements on test benches of the DLG Test Center. The deformability and elasticity, the abrasion resistance, the slip 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 April 2015. Other criteria were not investigated.

DeLaval Gummimatte für Liegeboxen RM 21BS

Assessment – brief summary

The DeLaval rubber mat 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 for single value-determining criteria. The deformability and elasticity of the cubicle mat, the abrasion resistance, the slip resistance, the acid resistance, the cleaning distance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied.

Table 1: Overview of results

Test characteristicTest resultEvaluation *
Deformability and elasticity  
– in new condition6.6, satisfactory
– following endurance test6.7, satisfactory
Permanent tread load  
 no lasting deformation+ +
 no noticeable wear+
Abrasion test  
 satisfactory resistance
Slip resistance **  
 good slip resistance on dry and wet mat surface+
Cleaning distance  
 20 cm with flat jet nozzle
 40 cm with flat jet nozzle
Acid resistance*  
Feed acid mixtureresistant+
Uric acidresistant+
Sulfurous acidresistant+
Ammonia solutionresistant+
Disinfection liquidresistant 
Peracetic acidresistant 

*    Evaluation range:: + + / + /◯ / – / – – (¡ = Standard)
**    Evaluation range: + = resisitant / ◯ = limited resistant / – = not resisitant

The product

Description and specifications

Black, profiled cubicle rubber mat, ca. 20.5 mm thick, surface with a triangle structure, underside with conical knobs ca. 5 mm high (diameter at the bottom ca. 19 mm). Laid as single mat. Shore A: ca. 72

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 (= 8.13 N/cm² surface pressure). The friction element was cooled continuously 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 Comfort Control test rig of the DLG Test Center. 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 EN ISO 175:2000 (performance of synthetic material against liquid chemicals) 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 bench 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 6.6 mm. The resulting calculated bearing pressure of 40.2 N/cm² indicates a satisfactory 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 6.6 mm to 6.7 mm. The bearing pressure decreased from 40.2 N/cm² to 39.6 N/cm² (see Fig. 2). This means that deformability and elasticity slightly increase.

Permanent tread load

After the Transition Mat had been exposed to a permanent tread load exerted with 250,000 alternating loads of 5,000 N (corresponding to approx. 500 kg), the mat showed no noticeable wear. Lasting deformation could not be observed.

Abrasion test

The abrasion depth after 10,000 cycles amounted to 3.7 mm, this corresponds to approximately 18.5 % of the mat thickness. From the ground surface 24.4 grams were rubbed off. The abrasion depth and the slight grit implicate a satisfactory wear resistance of the rubber mat.

Slip resistance

The slide pulling tests showed a good slip resistance on the dry or wet mat surface in new condition. The measured friction coefficients (μ) all surpassed the minimal value of μ = 0.45 which speaks for a good foothold.
 

Cleaning distance

In test bench trials with a high pressure cleaner damage to the mat only occurred when a minimum distance of 40 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.
 

Acid resistance

The rubber mat was resistant against the 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 rubber mat seems to be good suited for the described use.  

Table 2: Test liquids and results acid resistance

Test liquidConcentrationResult after 24 hours
residence time
Result after 25 hours
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 changingno changingresistant
Ammonia solution32 % solutionno changingno changingresistant
Disinfection liquid    
Barn Disinfection liquid2 %-solution of a product with   
formic acid and glyoxyl acidno changingno changingresistant 
Peracetic acid3000 ppmno changingno changingresistant

Summary

Based on test-stand investigations, the criteria tested in this DLG-APPROVED test for single value-determining criteria evaluate the comfort and durability properties of the DeLaval rubber mat RM21BS for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses. The tested DeLaval rubber mat RM21BS met the requirements of the Testing Framework with respect to the investigated criteria.

Applicant and test implementation

Manufacturer and Applicant

DeLaval International AB site Glinde,
P.O. Box 1136,
DE-21509 Glinde/Germany

Contact
Phone ++49 (0)403033443-39
Fax ++49 (0)40 3033443-49
Elaine.Araujo@delaval.com
www.delaval.com
http://www.delaval.com

Test implementation

DLG TestService GmbH, Gross-Umstadt location
The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.

DLG test scope
DLG-approved single criteria test
“Elastic Stable Flooring” (current as of 04/2016)

Department
Indoor operations

Head of Department
Dipl.-Ing. agr. Susanne Gäckler

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