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Float Specifications

Weekly Quality Checks Ensure Consistency with Manufacturer and Industry Guidelines
Factory quality procedures dictate testing of all raw materials and weekly random sampling of production floats to ensure the consistent of roto-molded shells for wall thickness and puncture resistance; and foam filled floats for water absorption characteristics within accepted industry specifications (see sample quality test document below).  Test results are available on request.

Wall Thickness Test… Sampled floats are tested at 20 or more spots to ensure a nominal wall thickness of 0.150", 0.175", 0.180" and 0.375" depending on the size of the standard float selected. An average wall thickness and minimal wall thickness are measured. For 0.150" nominal wall floats the minimal acceptable wall thickness is 0.125"

ASTM D1998-04 Falling Dart Puncture Test… Sampled floats first are subjected to -20°F for several hours and then are tested by dropping a 2" diameter steel bar/shaft, 37" long with a 1/2" radius nose from a height of 40" to attain 90 ft. lbs of impact to determine the cracking and puncture resistance of the shell material.  Premier dock float shells do not crack or puncture exceeding the requirements of this test; and pass the test even at 180 ft. lbs, twice the ASTM standard.

Hunt 7-Day Water Absorption Test… This industry standard test measures the water absorption of foam block formed
by injecting raw EPS beads, under steam, into a float shell. The acceptable absorption level is 3 lbs/CuFt or less.

Float Encasement Specifications: All units are manufactured from linear virgin polyethylene resin containing UV ray inhibitors and carbon black pigment to protect against ultra-violet deterioration. These resins offer toughness, rigidity, environmental stress crack resistance and low temperature impact performance; and compliance with the FDA title 21(will not contaminate the waterways and is recyclable). All units are rotationally molded for seamless, one piece construction, with a .150” nominal wall thickness standard on all encasements (see float size chart for variances) Custom wall thicknesses can be specified. All units are resistant to damage by animals, ice, bumps by watercraft and contact deterioration from petroleum products. They are suitable for outdoor use with respect to exposure to ultra-violet light, water exposure, immersion and fire in accordance with the Underwriters Laboratory's class 746C and flame class UL-94HB. The encasements also meet the Hunt 7-Day Water Absorption and ASTM Falling Dart puncture and thickness test. All units will exhibit the following ASTM test methods: 

Properties                                                               ASTM        Units       Typ. Units   

Density                                                   D-1505       b/cc           0.937

Melt Index (190c//21.6kg)                        D-1238      g/10 min.     5.00

Melt Index (190c//21.6kg)                        D-1238      q/10 min.      125

ESCR (100/gelpad, F-90)                          D-1693(B)   Hrs.            1000

Tensile Strength at yield,                            D-638        psi             2750
2"/min.

Elongation at Break                                    D-638        %               600

Flexural Moduals (1% Secant)                     D-790        psi          109,000

Low Temperature Impact                    ARM-STD-40F    ft-lbs.            68

Brittleness temperature                             D-746       0 deg. C        -90

Heat Distortion Temperature                      D-648       0 deg. C         63

Float Drum Contents: All encasements are filled with virgin polystyrene (EPS) beads. The EPS beads are steamed together to provide less water absorption and solid core for structural strength. The EPS contents have a 0.9 to 1.2 lbs. per cubic foot density with water absorption not to exceed three pounds per cubic foot in accordance with the Hunt 7-Day Water Absorption Test. It will not sink or contaminate the water when punctured. The EPS contents conform to the ASTM C-578 and the Underwriters Laboratory standards. Regarding fire resistance; it passes the UL723, UL1975 and ASTM E84 tests. Below are other ASTM test results:

 Properties                                                                                               ASTM Test                           Units                                   Value

Density                                                                                C-303                     Min lb./ft3                        0.90
Thermal Resistance
@ 25º  F (-3.9º C)                                                               C-177 or                 Min R for 1" Thickness         4.20

    40º  F (4.4º C)                                                                 C-518                                                            4.00

    75º  F (23.9º C)                                                               C-158                                                            3.60

    110º  F (43.3º C)                                                                                                                                  3.25

Compressive resistance at Yield or10% Deformation                D-1621                     Min psi                            10.0

Flexural Strength                                                                 C-203                       Min psi                            25.0

Water Vapor Permeability                                                       E-96                       Max perm-in                      5.0

Water Absorption                                                                  C-272                      % by Vol Max                    3.0

Dimensional Stability                                                                                           Max %                              2.0

Oxygen Index                                                                      D-2863                    Min %                              24.0

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion                                            D-696                     In/in/ºF                        0.000035

Flash Ignition Temperature                                                    D-1929                      ºF                                   824

Auto-Ignition Temperature                                                     D-1929                      ºF                                   896

BTU Content                                                                         NFPA 259                 BTU/lb.                        17,425

Contact
Premier Materials Technology Inc.
7401 Central Avenue NE, 
Minneapolis MN 55432

Toll Free 800-262-2275
Phone 763-785-1411 Fax 763-785-1509
info@premierfloats.com

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