Testing
Rigorous Testing for Superior Performance
Unparalled performance is one of the primary reasons architects, manufacturers and contractors choose metal for their building projects. Metal roof and wall panels have many critical standards they must meet under certain environmental conditions to ensure long-term structural and protective metal coating integrity. Tests that are specified for the architectural metal panels industry.
To ensure key performance metrics are met, Metal Alliance relies on independent testing to provide important information about how the metals and protective coatings Metal Alliance offers will meet or exceed those standards. From wind uplift and water penetration testing to fire resistance, coating integrity and aesthetic performance, our products are engineered to stand up to some of the harshest environmental conditions.
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Accelerated Coating COATING (ASTM G152) tests weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed to sunlight (either direct or through window glass) and moisture, such as rain or dew.
Fire Rating (UL 790) tests that simulate fire sources originating from the outside of a building measure the fire resistance performance of the roof coverings.
Salt Spray (ASTM B117) simulations accelerate the corrosion process to observe how a material stands up to corrosive attack in a hot and humid environment with salt in the air.
Tensile Strength (ASTM E8) measures the maximum force required to break material when stretched or elongated to its breaking point.
Wind Uplift Resistance (UL 580/UL 1897, TAS 110, TAS 125) evaluations determine the uplift resistance of roof assemblies. The TAS 125 standard includes UL580 which evaluates the roof panel, panel clips, fasteners and substrate, and UL1897, an extension of UL580, collects uplift resistance data for the panel assembly to evaluate the attachment of the roof covering system to the roof deck. TAS 110 assess physical properties of various roofing components including coatings.
Wind Driven Rain (TAS 100) testing establishes the resistance of the discontinuous roof system, consisting of underlayment and a prepared roof covering, to wind driven rain.
PROTECTIVE METAL COATING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Chemical Resistance (ASTM D1308) tests determine the effect of household chemicals on protective metal coatings that could result in discoloration, change in gloss, blistering, softening, swelling, or loss of adhesion.
Falling Sand Abrasion (ASTM D968) measures the amount of abrasion required to wear through protective metal coatings.
Film Adhesion (ASTM D3359) testing assesses the adhesion of protective coating films applied to metallic substrates to determine the force required to rupture the coating to substrate bond.
Graffiti Resistance (ASTM D6578/D6578M) evaluations determine the resistance to graffiti marking and the extent to how such markings can be easily removed.
Humidity Resistance (ASTM D2247) measures water resistance when exposed in an atmosphere maintained at 100% relative humidity to assess relative corrosion resistance of the protective coating.
Impact Resistance (ASTM D2794) tests gauge the resistance of organic coatings to the effects of rapid deformation (impact).
Pencil Hardness (ASTM D3363) trials measure the hardness of a protective metal finish by determining its resiliency to scraping, polishing, scratching, gouging, rubbing, and other external abrasive forces.
Salt Spray (ASTM B117) tests evaluate the performance a protective metal coating against corrosive attack that would jeopardize the underlying substrate.
Surface Burning (ASTM E84) testing assesses the surface burning characteristics of metal coatings to evaluate how it may contribute to flame spread in the event of a fire.
Sustainability (ASTM E1980-11) tests calculate a metal coating’s solar reflectance which is the ability to reflect solar energy or UV rays away from the surface and back into the atmosphere.
T-Bends (ASTM D4145) experiments determine the level flexibility and adhesion of a coating on its metal substrate without fracturing.
SOUTH FLORIDA EROSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Chalk Resistance (ASTM D4214) testing evaluates of the degree of chalking caused by the breakdown and degradation of a coatings resins that can create a visible whitish residue on the coated metal surface over time when exposed to sunlight and UV rays.
Color Change (ASTM D2244) tests calculate a coatings ability to maintain its original color over time when exposed to sunlight and UV rays.
Erosion Resistance (ASTM D662) evaluations determine the degree of erosion to a coating that causes the underlying substrate to become exposed.
Film Integrity (ASTM G7) testing measures a coating’s performance when directly exposed to the natural environment over time, typically performed on exposure racks tilted at a commonly used tilt angle from the horizontal (such as 5 or 45 degrees) and facing the equator.
