28 FEBRUARY 2008

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 41

1219

(vi) Wheel bearing housings.

(vii) Engine block, bell housing, transmission, transfer case.

(viii) Rear axle and differential housing.

(ix) Parts of the floor pan and structural/reinforcing members.

(x) Inside openings in body structural members.

(xi) Part of the underside of the body.

(xii) Exhaust system brackets.

(xiii) Rear of brake callipers/brake drums.

(xiv) Inside wheels.

(xv) Rear of headlights.

(xvi) Rear of tail lights.

(xvii) Door cavities.

Other areas of a vehicle may have microdots applied.

Appendix – Accelerated Ageing and Removal Tests

A1 Preparation of Test Specimens

Test Specimens shall consist of steel plates approximately 1mm thick and 300mm square.

Test Specimen (Type 1): Shall be clean dry bare metal with at least one side free of loose material, oil or grease.

Test Specimen (Type 2): Shall be coated on at least one side with an automotive sound deadening material and prepared, finished and allowed to cure to approximately replicate a typical automotive underbody surface.

Test Specimen (Type 3): Shall be painted on at least one side and prepared, finished and allowed to cure to approximately replicate a typical automotive cosmetic surface such as the underside of a bonnet or boot lid.

Note: The side of the Test Specimen that meets the criteria above is referred to as the "prepared side" in the remainder of this appendix.

Sufficient Test Specimens of each type shall be prepared to enable a new Test Specimen to be used for each Accelerated Ageing Treatment and subsequent Removal Test. A minimum of six Test Specimens of each type will be required.

A2 Testing Environment

Unless otherwise specified, after the preparation of the Test Specimens, all further processing and testing shall be carried out in a controlled atmosphere of 23 ± 2°C, and at 50% ± 5% relative humidity.

A3 Application of Microdot System

Each Test Specimen shall have the microdot identification system applied to the whole area of the prepared side in a manner such that it replicates the application of the system to a vehicle. This application need not be carried out in the Testing Environment but after application and drying of the adhesive/coating material each treated Test Specimen shall be conditioned by placing it in a controlled atmosphere of 23 ± 2°C, and at 50% ± 5% relative humidity for not less than 24 hours. During this time the treated prepared side shall be fully exposed.

Prior to the Accelerated Ageing Treatments below each Test Specimen shall be examined under ultraviolet light to ensure that the whole surface of the treated prepared side has been covered with the microdot identification system as indicated by the response of the UV tracer in the adhesive/coating material. Any Test Specimen with less than 90% coverage shall be discarded and a replacement Test Specimen prepared.

A4 Accelerated Ageing Treatments

(a) High Air Temperature—

Two of each Test Specimen Type 1, 2 and 3 shall be placed into an air circulating oven preheated to 110 ± 1°C and maintained at this oven temperature for a period of 168 hours. The treated prepared side shall be fully exposed during this period. The Test Specimens shall then be removed and allowed to return to the Test Environment conditions.

(b) High Humidity—

Two of each Test Specimen Type 1, 2 and 3 shall be placed in a humidity cabinet at 38 ± 1°C with a relative humidity of 97 to 100% and a condensation rate of 1 to 2 millilitres/hour and maintained in this environment for 168 hours. The treated prepared side shall be fully exposed during this period. The Test Specimens shall then be removed and allowed to return to the Test Environment conditions.

(c) Low Air Temperature—

Two of each Test Specimen Type 1, 2 and 3 shall be placed in a freezer at minus 30 ± 2°C for 4 hours. The treated prepared side shall be fully exposed during this period. The Test Specimens shall then be removed and allowed to return to the Test Environment conditions.

A5 Removal Tests

(a) High Pressure Cold Water/Detergent Cleaner Test—

This test consists of cleaning one of each Test Specimen Type 1, 2 and 3 that has been subjected to each of the Accelerated Ageing Treatments, A4(a) High Air Temperature, A4(b) High Humidity and A4(c) Low Air Temperature (ie 9 test specimens in all) using a high pressure cold water cleaner with a detergent injection.

The Test Specimen shall be placed on a flat horizontal surface and the treated prepared side subjected to a high pressure cold water jet with a detergent injection. The minimum outlet pressure of the water jet shall be 110 bar