During bond strength testing of SFRM, what is the recommended rate of force application?

The recommended rate of force application during bond strength testing of Spray-applied Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) is established to ensure that the test simulates realistic conditions under which the material will be subjected to stress. At 11 pounds per minute, this rate provides a balance between allowing sufficient time for the material to react to the applied force while also ensuring that the testing process remains efficient.

Using a rate that is too high can lead to dynamic effects that may compromise the integrity of the test results, since the material may not properly respond to the application of force. This could potentially create misleading indications of bond strength. Conversely, a rate that is too low might not effectively simulate the conditions that the SFRM will encounter in real-world applications, failing to give a true representation of its performance characteristics. Therefore, 11 pounds per minute is set as a standard that aligns with industry practices for obtaining reliable and consistent data for bond strength in the context of fireproofing materials.