Location: Roof of the DP
Contact person: Ondřej Dvořák
On the roof of the FLD Pavilion of Wood Sciences, there are racks which allow adjustment of the exposure angle. An angle of 45° is mostly used, which also accelerates the natural aging of material surfaces. The racks are oriented in a north-south direction; the surfaces are mainly exposed with the highest possible load towards the south. Compared to artificial accelerated aging, the degradation of surfaces is slower but more realistic; this is because, in addition to abiotic influences, a number of biotic agents also act, especially various types of fungi. The effect of pollution also contributes, causing aesthetic deterioration of the surfaces of materials used in particular in construction and buildings.
In research on natural exposure, we verify the results of artificial accelerated aging in chambers and also try to find possibilities to compare both types of aging. Most of the exhibited samples are wood treated with different types of coating systems, which are used on facades, wooden structures, fences, windows, and doors. Glued beams are also tested, in which the stability of the glued joint is evaluated.