VDL ST000030 Ageing Property Requirements of Plastic Parts

The standard “VDL ST000030 Ageing property requirements for plastic parts”, developed by the Dutch vehicle manufacturer VDL Bus & Coach, describes the material ageing requirements specified in VDL Bus & Coach drawings.

This standard includes the standard VDL Bus & Coach ageing requirements for plastic materials, as well as ageing requirements that are outside the scope of this standard, such as ageing requirements according to another VDL Bus & Coach standard, standards from another Dutch car and commercial vehicle manufacturer organization, DAF, or ageing requirements that are outside the scope of the previously mentioned standards. Ageing requirements for plastic parts that must be met by the VDL ST000030 standard are given in this standard.

The VDL ST000030 standard gives the requirements regarding the ageing behavior of a plastic application or material represented by a specific ageing requirement code. The requirements are divided into different classes. The requirements and classes are explained in this standard and are included in the annex to the standard (Annex B). If a requirement does not apply, this is indicated in the relevant column of the table in Annex A.

This standard is also provided to suppliers.

If a plastic part or application does not need to meet all the requirements of the relevant class, different requirements or additional requirements are indicated on the drawing.

For example, the plastic part must meet the following requirements given in the relevant columns in the annex to the standard (Annex A):

Requirement 1: Must meet Abrasion Class 10.
Requirement 2: Scratch resistance must meet Class 10.
Requirement 4: The gloss and color change after UV test should meet Class 10.
Requirement 5: Chemical resistance must meet Class 10.
Requirement 6: For temperature resistance, the part or application must maintain full functionality over the specified temperature range.
Requirement 7: The warranty period given by the supplier must meet Class 10.

The affiliate or supplier of the plastic part or application shall provide a written declaration that the plastic part or application meets all applicable ageing requirements. This shall be verified and reported through a test programme unless otherwise agreed with VDL Bus & Coach. The requirements and class classification are specified and explained in the annex to this standard (Annex B).

Maintaining quality is essential. The affiliate, in consultation with the supplier, selects materials or processes that meet the aging requirements specified in the drawing. The affiliate or supplier of the plastic part is responsible for using these requirements in a measurable manner.

THE NEED FOR AGING BY A DIFFERENT STANDARD

According to this standard, in principle, any other ageing requirement may be necessary. It is important that the ageing requirement is defined in such a way that there is no doubt as to what must be supplied. This should be done in consultation with VDL Bus & Coach.

The annex “Annex B Ageing requirements on drawings” contains a description of the ageing requirements for the different plastic materials used in VDL Bus & Coach. The applicable ageing requirement is specified on the drawing. Annex A of the ST000030 standard contains the requirements that the plastic part or application must meet and the VDL Bus & Coach class. The requirements and class classification are specified in this annex.

In the interest of maintaining quality, if the materials to be used are not specifically specified on the drawing, then the subsidiary, in consultation with the plastic component supplier, must determine the correct type of material that meets the requirements of this standard. The subsidiary or component supplier is responsible for measurably meeting these requirements and ensuring that these requirements continue to be met.

If the structure consists of more than one material, the requirements regarding surface quality should be measured on the surface of the visible part facing the driver or passenger.

For example, “Requirement 1: Wear” is specified as follows:

The surface wear of the instrument panel parts should be measured according to the VW PV3906 standard.
- Requirement for Class 10: Grade 1, no visible change after 200 cycles wet/dry
- Requirement for Class 20: Grade 2, no visible change after 100 cycles wet/dry
- Requirement for Class 30: Grade 3, minimum surface change after 100 cycles wet/dry
Wear of floor panels shall be measured using the Taber wear test (ASTM D1044, disc type Calibrase CS17, no lubrication)
- Requirement for Class 10: Weight loss not more than 50 milligrams (2000 cycles, 500 N)
- Requirement for Class 20: Weight loss not more than 200 milligrams (2000 cycles, 500 N)
- Requirement for Class 30: Weight loss not more than 500 milligrams (2000 cycles, 500 N)
Fabric abrasion should be measured using a Martindale test according to standard DIN EN ISO 12947-2.
- Requirement for Class 10: At least 100.000 cycles
- Requirement for Class 20: At least 50.000 cycles
- Requirement for Class 30: At least 20.000 cycles

For example, “Requirement 2: Scratch resistance” is specified as follows:

The scratch resistance of painted and unpainted plastic interior parts must be tested according to the VW PV3952 standard or the VW PV3974 standard.
- According to VW PV3952 standard,
  - Requirement for Class 10: not more than 5 ΔL at 0,5 N load
  - Requirement for Class 20: not more than 10 ΔL at 1,5 N load
- According to VW PV3974 standard,
  - Requirement for Class 10: not more than 5 ΔGloss at 0,6 N (60 degree measurement ISO 2813)
  - Requirement for Class 20: not more than 3 ΔGloss at 0,6 N (60 degree measurement ISO 2813)

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies that our organization has carried out for businesses in various sectors, it also provides testing services defined in the standard “VDL ST000s030 Ageing property requirements of plastic parts” with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.