DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex exposed for 33 months resisted the test of time
The membrane was factory fitted to the timber frame panels during manufacture in March 2008. Unfortunately the main contractor went into administration during the build, leaving the work incomplete and subsequently the membrane was left fully exposed to the elements and potential UV degradation for a period of 33 months.
Samples of the exposed material were removed for examination by DuPont at its facility in Luxembourg provided the following results.
Property | Unit | 3480M | North after 33 months | South after 33 months |
Watertightness (EN1928 mod. EN13859-2) | Class | W1 | W1 | W1 |
Water column (EN20811) | m | >2 | 2/2,2 | 1,6/1,8 |
Emissivity (Lux meth.) |
| 0,15 | 0,18 | 0,18 |
Tensile MD (EN 12311-1 mod. EN13859-2) | N/5cm | 250 | 215 | 212 |
Tensile XD (EN 12311-1 mod. EN13859-2) | N/5cm | 210 | 180 | 164 |
The two most important criteria for a reflective membrane are:
DuPont guarantees the functionality of DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex on the basis that it is protected from UV exposure within 4 months of installation and tests have shown that the product will suffer no reduction in performance over this time. However, in this case, the recommended time period was clearly exceeded – and by over 800%! |
Tyvek® Reflex
