Biotic Degradation and Soil Burial Testing
topic
Soil burial testing buries fabric specimens in standardised biologically active soil at controlled temperature and moisture for defined periods, periodically measuring tensile strength retention and mass loss as indicators of microbial enzymatic degradation; the rate of strength loss differentiates rapidly biodegradable natural fibres from bioresistant synthetic geotextiles.
Role
Quantifies the biodegradation resistance of geotextiles specifying minimum design life in soil environments and the biodegradability of agricultural mulch textiles and packaging fabrics designed for deliberate in-soil degradation after their functional service period is complete.