Only Buildex® uses Real World outdoor exposureTesting to develop superior coatings
Buildex® has pioneered real world testing to measure actual corrosion performance of both Buildex® and competitor products. Outdoor test sites expose the fasteners to the combination of corrosive influences that exist in the real world including salt spray, humidity, ultra-violet light, acid rain and compatibility with roof sheeting.
The majority of the Australian population is located in coastal regions. Coastal climates are generally highly corrosive and can extend tens of kilometres inland, depending on the prevailing winds and topography. Being located in the Southern hemisphere and surrounded by the worlds largest ocean regions, means that Australia is exposed to more chlorides in the air than countries in the Northern hemisphere. Corrosion dramatically affects the performance of fasteners over their lifetime, subsequently affecting the long-term structural integrity of any construction. As a result, Buildex® fasteners must be able to withstand the corrosive action in order to achieve a reasonable service life.
Our customers expect it!
Real WorldTest Sites
In order to test the actual corrosion performance of our products, Buildex® operates and supports a Research, Development and Testing Program. Buildex® pioneered the use of “real world” outdoor exposed testing, operating since 1994. These stations are built in known corrosively aggressive locations around Australia, in order that Buildex® can obtain the test result quickly. The severe conditions at these sites will give an indication of the product performance after approximately one year. Unlike traditional “accelerated” laboratory testing only outdoor test sites expose the fasteners to the combinations of corrosive in fences that exist in the “real world” eg:
• Chlorides (Marine)
• Humidity (Condensation)
• Acid Rain (Industrial)
• Ultra Violet (U.V.)
Panels representing sections of roofing, complete with screws, are exposed to the elements and the results are monitored regularly.
From theses results Buildex® can pinpoint which coatings perform best, regularly putting out new panels with new coatings, as well as panels for checking the consistency of our existing coating process over time. We also put out comparative panels of competitor products on a regular basis.
