Examination of Color Difference in Elastic Pavement that uses EPDM Chip using Ultraviolet Ray Accelerated Weathering Test

Abstract

Recently, the usage of elastic paving using EPDM Chip instead of pedestrian sidewalk blocks or permeable concrete used mostly for pedestrian walk, trails and in parks has been increassed as it can absorb impact during walking and produce wide range of colors and designs. However, the properties of EPDM Chip including elasticity and durability are decreased when exposed to ultraviolet ray and scenic paving functions through various colors are lowered due to the yellowing phenomenon. In this study, ultraviolet ray accelerated weathering test has been conducted to analyze the color changes in EPDM Chip and polyurethane resin, which are the main ingredients of elastic paving, when exposed to ultraviolet ray. The color differences are quantitatively analyzed through the color value coordination of the colored space by using the color difference scheme. The experimental results show that the color changes in BL polyurethane resin which is used most frequently at present was larger than that of EPDM Chip. Moreover, the total color difference, , of BC polyurethane resin are 3.162 on the day of commencement of acceleration, which is 6 times greater color change resistance against ultraviolet ray than that of BL polyurethane resin with total color difference of 20.639. Therefore, the usage of BC polyurethane resin, which is manufactured to have chain-type molecular structure by using the isocyanate as the HMDI at the time of producing polymer, as binder in elastic paving with EPDM Chip is found to be a highly efficient method of restraining the color changes due to the ultraviolet ray.