EN 16637-2:2023

Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Part 2: Horizontal dynamic surface leaching test EN 16637-2:2023

Publication date:   Feb 19, 2024

Scope

This document specifies a dynamic surface leaching test (DSLT) which is aimed at determining the release per unit surface area as a function of time of inorganic and/or non-volatile organic substances from a monolithic, plate- or sheet-like product, when it is put into contact with an aqueous solution (leachant). The test method is not suitable for substances that are volatile under ambient conditions.
This test is a parameter specific test focusing on identifying and specifying parameter specific properties tested under specified conditions. It is not aimed at simulating real situations. The application of results to specific intended conditions of use can be established by means of modelling (not included in this document).
The test method applies to more or less regularly shaped test portions consisting of monolithic test pieces with minimum dimensions of 40 mm in all directions [volume > 64 000 mm3 (64 cm3)]. It also applies to plate- or sheet-like products with surface areas of minimum 10 000 mm2 (100 cm2) exposed to the leachant. Products designed to drain water (e.g. draining tiles, porous asphalt) and monolithic granular products according to EN 16637 1:2023, Table 1, are also tested by this test method. All products to be tested are assumed to maintain their integrity over a time frame relevant for the considered intended use.
The modification for granular construction products with low hydraulic conductivity (Annex A) applies for granular particles with so little drainage capacity between the grains that percolation in percolation tests and in practice is nearly impossible.
Metals, metallic coatings and organic coatings on metals are excluded from the scope of this document because the principles of this test (diffusion) are not obeyed by these products. Guidance on the need for testing of these products is under consideration.
For some coatings (e.g. some renders with organic binders according to EN 15824 [9]) in intermittent contact with water, physical and chemical properties might be changed in permanent contact with water. For these products, this document is not appropriate.
Guidance on the applicability of the test method to a given product is outlined in EN 16637 1.
NOTE 1 This test method is only applicable if the product is chemically stable and the matrix does not dissolve. For construction products that are possibly used in contact with water this is usually the case as construction products are then supposed to be dimensionally stable. If a product possibly wears substantially in its intended use, the test cannot provide proper information. If the product contains a substantial amount of water-soluble compounds, e.g. gypsum or anhydrite, the matrix could (partially) dissolve and lead to dimensional instability of the test piece. In this case, the test standard also cannot be used.
NOTE 2 It is not always possible to optimize test conditions simultaneously for inorganic and organic substances. Optimum test conditions can also vary between different groups of organic substances. Test requirements for organic substances are generally more stringent than those for inorganic substances. The test conditions suitable for measuring the release of organic substances will generally also be applicable to inorganic substances.

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