This document specifies a screening test method for determining the resistance of geotextiles and geotextile-related products to hydrolysis by exposing test specimens to water at elevated temperatures, followed by an evaluation of the changes in properties resulting from such exposure. It is intended as a means of establishing a minimum acceptable level of durability.
The tests described in this document do not allow the determination of reduction factors. The tests described in this document are screening tests to show the ability of a product to serve for a certain time. The reference strength and retained strength of products investigated in this document need to be determined in the same way in accordance with EN 12226.
The test is applicable to any geotextile and geotextile-related product susceptible to hydrolysis, in particular polyester and polyamide based materials, and in addition to the yarns from which these geotextiles are made.
This method is not intended for determining the resistance of geotextiles to hydrolysis under highly acid or alkaline conditions.
NOTE Performance tests to predict long-term lifetime or to compare products of different polymers or of similar polymers with differing structures can be based on the same method but with a wider range of temperatures and durations.