Test Specimens
Three test specimen laminates should be prepared reinforced
with glass fibre of any form with a thickness of 5 mm and a minimum
resin content of 40% by weight. Alternatively, three specimens of
the specific laminate system should be tested as built. When similar
laminates of different thickness are used, the minimum thickness should
be tested. For laminates with normal thickness of greater than 50
mm, including sandwich construction, the requisite specimens should
be obtained by cutting away the unexposed face to reduce the thickness
to 50 mm. All specimens should be square with sides measuring 100
mm.
3.1 Conditioning of specimens
Before the test, the specimens should be conditioned in sunlight
to 300 MJ/m2 (below 385 nm) of natural UV radiation exposure
of outdoor weathering or acceptable equivalent accelerated artificial
weathering exposure to the satisfaction of the Administration. Both
natural and artificial exposures should include elevated temperatures
of at least 30°C for substantial periods of the exposure and 20
% wet time.
3.2 Test conditions
The test should be performed in the horizontal position using
a specimen edge frame, and the irradiance to the specimen during the
testing should be kept constant. The test specimens should be tested
to an irradiance of 50 kW/m2.
3.3 Duration of tests
The test should terminate when ignition occurs in the test specimen
or at 10 min.
3.4 Test results
The average ignition time should be calculated as the arithmetic
mean of the ignition time of the three specimens.
3.5 Acceptance criteria
The average ignition time should be greater than 40 s.