Durability of textile facing materials for construction: Implementation of an accelerated aging test by hydrolysis

Abstract

This paper presents the design and development of a test protocol for accelerated aging by hydrolysis in basic and acidic media, as well as application of this protocol for testing two fabrics intended for use as facing materials for buildings. The durability indicators were selected in order to quantify and analyse the impact of accelerated aging on fabrics. The experimental results reveal that the two fabrics’ behaviour depends on the medium’s nature. The aging in an acidic medium was hardly noticeable. Conversely, aging in a basic medium resulted in a quick deterioration of the fabrics: after 35 days of aging, the tensile strength of both fabrics was close to zero. Furthermore, the two fabrics behave differently in the basic medium, which is mainly due to their separate structures: the first fabric resistance to nail tear increased during the first day of aging unlike the second fabric.