Long term durability

Who are we

Our competence areas include the assessment of long-term effects on metals, organic coatings and other materials upon exposure to outdoor conditions and simulated weathering. We have a sound understanding on the current standards related to UV exposure, corrosion and other environmental stresses, especially in the construction related materials and products.

Long Term Durability research group consists of researchers and research-oriented engineers working on the many aspects of long term durability of materials. The group is led by Principal Research Scientists D.Sc. Päivi Laaksonen who has competence in physical chemistry, nanomaterials, interfacial science and materials science and has the education of professional teacher.

What do we do

Our main research competence is applied research on weathering of materials. We have the expertise and infrastructure for research carried out at both outdoor testing fields and in the accelerated weathering studies in laboratory. We apply our flexible infrastructure for long lasting R&D projects with our industrial customers and partners, but also for more fundamental research projects. Depending on the research task, we can either follow standardized testing protocols or develop new protocols and methods together with other HAMK Tech teams. We work enthusiastically with our partners and use our own experience as well as networks to solve both technical and scientific problems.

The research vision of Long Term Durability research team is to enhance the sustainability of industrial materials technology and manufacturing. We participate in research aiming towards bio-based materials and circular economy and will contribute in ensuring the performance of novel materials consisting of biomass-based or recycled materials. By doing this, we hope to influence our society to become more resource wise and sustainable.

Who do we work with

We work with large and small industrial partners dealing with mechanical engineering and academic partners from various disciplines. Our research approach is application driven and thus our role in the activities is often related to validation of the performance of the materials and products. We have national and international networks, mainly due to our research projects. On national level, we actively participate the Finnish sheet metal and corrosion communities. We are the Finnish representative in the international research network ICP Materials (International Co-operative Programme on Effects on Materials, including historic and cultural monuments).

Our infrastructure

Our laboratory is equipped for accelerated weathering studies and outdoor testing of materials. We have, for instance corrosion testing cabinets in which materials can be tested with continuous salt spray as well as with cyclic corrosion tests. For evaluating the effects of temperature changes and relative humidity on materials we apply the climate chamber, which allows temperature changes between -80 °C and +100 °C, adjustable relative humidity and programmable cycles. We also carry out laboratory studies on the effects of sunlight UV radiation and humidity on organic materials, such as paints and plastics.

The analysis of weathering effects is carried out following the typical methods using spectrophotometry, gloss measurements and microscopy. For imaging and further analysis, we also have a portable hyperspectral camera.