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Materials research

The materials team investigates the durability of building materials within the Aotearoa New Zealand environment. Durability is affected by climate, UV levels, rainfall and temperature as well as proximity to the ocean, mountains and geothermal areas.

What we do

The materials team explores how New Zealand's building materials perform and align with the standards set in the New Zealand Building Code. We gather insights and develop methodologies by:

  • testing to predict materials performance under expected service conditions
  • developing and monitoring exposure sites around New Zealand to better understand how location impacts the durability of building materials
  • understanding material durability at a macro and micro level.

Working with system players

The materials team collaborates on research activities with domestic and international stakeholders throughout the building system. Stakeholders include:

  • industry players (builders, suppliers, and manufacturers)
  • practitioners (designers and architects)
  • building owners
  • government agencies
  • universities
  • Crown research institutes.

Research and resources

The team has conducted substantial research aimed at evaluating material performance under different conditions. These activities have produced in-depth study reports and useful resources, including corrosivity maps, bulletins, fact sheets and Build articles on materials and corrosion.

  • Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

    Investigating the performance of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) under New Zealand's climate.

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  • Research Now: Geothermal corrosion

    This series looks at field trials conducted in Rotorua to examine how different building materials corrode and deteriorate in geothermal environments. Identical samples were also exposed to a marine environment for comparison.

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  • Research Now: Positional corrosion

    The performance of building materials depends partly on where they are installed on the building envelope. BRANZ is researching the differences between micro-environments around a building and the degradation of materials within them.

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  • BRANZ Facts: Metal corrosion in New Zealand buildings

    BRANZ scientists have researched corrosion for over 40 years, and much of the content in these fact sheets reflects these findings.

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  • SR288 Update of New Zealand's atmospheric corrosivity map

    Atmospheric corrosion testing was conducted at 39 exposure sites across New Zealand. The corrosion rates of mild steel and hot-dip galvanised zinc-coated coupons were measured after 1 year of exposure.

    Download [PDF, 14.1MB]

  • SR325 Update of New Zealand's atmospheric corrosivity map: Part 2

    This study is the second part of the research project that aims to check and maintain the ongoing validity New Zealand atmospheric corrosion rate dataset. This dataset underpins the New Zealand atmospheric corrosivity map.

    Download [PDF, 3.7MB]