Independent Laboratory Verification

Duration’s claim of 5X stronger performance isn’t marketing hyperbole—it’s scientifically verified through rigorous independent laboratory testing. Our Duralast® polyaspartic system undergoes comprehensive performance evaluation against traditional epoxy coatings using industry-standard ASTM testing protocols.

Tensile Strength Testing (ASTM D412)

Test Parameters

• Sample Preparation: 1/8″ thick specimens cured for 7 days at 23°C
• Testing Equipment: Universal testing machine with 5,000 lbf capacity
• Crosshead Speed: 20 inches per minute (Type IV specimens)
• Environmental Conditions: 23°C ± 2°C, 50% ± 5% relative humidity

Results Comparison

Material System	Tensile Strength (PSI)	Elongation at Break (%)	Modulus (PSI)
Duralast® Polyaspartic	4,280 PSI	45%	95,000
Standard Epoxy	850 PSI	8%	425,000
Premium Epoxy	1,200 PSI	12%	380,000

Analysis: Duralast® demonstrates 5.04X higher tensile strength than standard epoxy and 3.57X higher than premium epoxy systems. The significantly higher elongation indicates superior flexibility and impact resistance.

Abrasion Resistance Testing (ASTM D4060)

Taber Abraser Methodology

• Abrasive Wheels: CS-17 calibrase wheels (1000g load)
• Test Cycles: 1,000 cycles standard, 5,000 cycles extended
• Measurement: Weight loss in milligrams per 1,000 cycles
• Sample Size: 4.25″ diameter × 6mm thick specimens

Abrasion Resistance Results

Material	Weight Loss (mg/1000 cycles)	Relative Performance
Duralast® Polyaspartic	22 mg	Baseline (Best)
Standard Epoxy	125 mg	5.7X worse
Premium Epoxy	89 mg	4.0X worse
Polyurethane	67 mg	3.0X worse

Key Finding: Duralast® shows 82% less wear than standard epoxy coatings, directly translating to dramatically extended service life in high-traffic applications.

Impact Resistance Testing (ASTM D2794)

Gardner Impact Test Protocol

• Impact Energy: Variable from 2 in-lbs to 160 in-lbs
• Sample Thickness: 6 mils dry film thickness
• Substrate: Cold-rolled steel panels, prepared per SSPC-SP3
• Temperature: 23°C during testing

Impact Resistance Comparison

Coating System	Failure Point (in-lbs)	Performance Rating
Duralast® Polyaspartic	140 in-lbs	Excellent
Standard Epoxy	28 in-lbs	Poor
Premium Epoxy	45 in-lbs	Fair
Polyurethane	85 in-lbs	Good

Result: Duralast® withstands 5X higher impact energy before failure, explaining superior resistance to dropped tools, equipment impacts, and heavy traffic.

Chemical Resistance Testing (ASTM D1308)

Immersion Test Protocol

• Duration: 30-day continuous immersion
• Temperature: 23°C constant
• Evaluation: Visual assessment, weight change, hardness retention
• Chemical Selection: Automotive fluids, household cleaners, industrial chemicals

Chemical Resistance Results

Chemical Agent	Duralast® Rating	Standard Epoxy Rating
Motor Oil	No Effect	Slight Staining
Gasoline	No Effect	Softening/Swelling
Brake Fluid	No Effect	Severe Softening
Battery Acid (10%)	Slight Etching	Severe Attack
Antifreeze	No Effect	Moderate Swelling
Transmission Fluid	No Effect	Staining/Softening
Hydraulic Fluid	No Effect	Moderate Softening
De-icing Salt	No Effect	Surface Roughening

Superior Performance: Duralast® maintains integrity against 95% of tested chemicals while epoxy shows degradation with common automotive fluids.

UV Stability Testing (ASTM G154)

Accelerated Weathering Protocol

• UV Source: Fluorescent UV-B lamps (313 nm peak)
• Irradiance: 0.68 W/m²/nm at 313 nm
• Cycle: 8 hours UV at 60°C, 4 hours condensation at 50°C
• Duration: 2,000 hours (equivalent to 5-10 years outdoor exposure)

UV Stability Results

Time Period	Duralast® Color Change (ΔE)	Standard Epoxy Color Change (ΔE)
500 hours	0.8	8.2
1,000 hours	1.2	15.6
2,000 hours	1.8	22.3

Color Retention: Duralast® shows minimal color change after equivalent of 10 years exposure, while epoxy exhibits severe yellowing and fading.

Temperature Performance Testing

Thermal Cycle Testing (ASTM D1737)

• Temperature Range: -40°F to +180°F
• Cycle Duration: 24 hours per cycle
• Test Cycles: 100 complete cycles
• Evaluation: Crack formation, adhesion loss, surface changes

Temperature Performance Results

Performance Factor	Duralast®	Standard Epoxy
Crack Formation	None	Hairline cracks at 50 cycles
Adhesion Retention	100%	75% after 100 cycles
Surface Integrity	Excellent	Poor (chalking, roughening)
Flexibility Retention	Maintained	Brittle failure

Real-World Performance Correlation

Laboratory to Field Performance

• Accelerated aging correlation: 1,000 lab hours = 2-5 years field exposure
• Traffic simulation: Taber results correlate to 15+ year garage use
• Chemical exposure modeling: Daily automotive fluid contact scenarios
• Temperature cycling: Seasonal variation effects in Northeast Indiana

Long-Term Performance Prediction

Based on accelerated testing, Duralast® systems are projected to:

• Maintain structural integrity: 25+ years typical garage use
• Retain color and gloss: 15+ years under normal UV exposure
• Resist chemical damage: Indefinite resistance to household/automotive chemicals
• Prevent concrete substrate damage: Permanent protection when properly applied

Testing Facility Credentials

Independent Laboratory Verification

Facility: ISO 17025 accredited materials testing laboratory Certifications:

• ASTM International membership
• NIST-traceable calibration standards
• Quality system compliance (ISO 9001)

Testing Documentation: Complete test reports available including:

• Raw data and statistical analysis
• Photographic documentation of test specimens
• Certified technician signatures
• Chain of custody documentation

Why Testing Matters for Your Investment

Performance Assurance

Scientific testing provides quantifiable proof that your coating investment will:

• Deliver advertised performance under real-world conditions
• Maintain appearance and integrity throughout its service life
• Resist damage from expected use and environmental factors
• Provide superior value through extended service life

Quality Control Verification

Every batch of Duralast® materials undergoes:

• Incoming raw material testing for consistency
• Manufacturing quality control throughout production
• Final product verification before shipment
• Field performance monitoring for continuous improvement

Conclusion: Science-Based Superior Performance

The comprehensive testing data confirms Duration’s Duralast® polyaspartic system delivers measurably superior performance across all critical factors:

• 5.04X stronger tensile strength for impact resistance
• 5.7X better abrasion resistance for longevity
• Superior chemical resistance for protection
• Excellent UV stability for color retention
• Outstanding temperature performance for all-weather use

When you choose Duration’s professionally applied Duralast® system through our proven installation process, you’re choosing scientifically verified superior performance backed by rigorous testing and real-world proven results.

Our testing validates performance across all applications, from residential garage coatings to demanding commercial floor systems, ensuring optimal results regardless of your specific requirements.

Want to see the complete test reports? Contact Duration for detailed laboratory documentation and performance verification.