What effects do environmental factors have on the performance of cardboard cat scratching post

Humidity is one of the key factors in the performance of corrugated paper materials. When the ambient humidity exceeds 60%, the paper fibers will absorb moisture, causing them to soften and the scratching resistance to drop by more than 30%. This change not only significantly affects the cat's experience of using it, but also accelerates the aging process of the material. Experimental data show that in an environment with continuous high humidity, the tensile strength of corrugated paper decreases at a rate of 5% per week, and after 6 weeks, the material will show obvious deformation. Therefore, in the rainy season in the south, special attention should be paid to moisture-proofing. It is recommended to use a dehumidifier or desiccant to control the ambient humidity within the ideal range of 40%-50% to ensure the stability of material performance.

Temperature fluctuations also have an important impact on the structure of paper fibers. Extreme temperature differences (such as frequent alternation between air-conditioned rooms and outdoor environments) can cause uneven shrinkage of paper fibers, resulting in cracks. When the temperature drops suddenly, for example, from 25°C to 5°C, the shrinkage rate of paper fibers can reach 1.2%. This stress change weakens the bonding force between fibers. The test results of a certain brand laboratory showed that the service life of a cat scratching board in a cycle environment of -5℃ to 35℃ for 30 consecutive days was shortened by 40%, and the probability of surface cracking was 2.3 times that of a normal temperature environment. Therefore, maintaining temperature stability is crucial to maintaining the service life of paper products.

Light intensity and ultraviolet radiation are also key factors affecting the durability of materials. Ultraviolet rays in the UV-B band destroy the lignin structure in paper fibers, causing the material to become brittle. Experiments have shown that the elongation at break of corrugated paper exposed to 300μW/cm² ultraviolet rays for 48 hours decreased by 28%. For waterproof products used outdoors, it is particularly necessary to add UV blockers. A certain brand uses nano titanium dioxide coating technology to extend the service life of outdoor products to 1.8 times that of ordinary products, significantly improving the durability of the material.

The impact of air quality on material performance is often overlooked. Sulfur-containing gases (such as sulfur dioxide) react chemically with hemicellulose in paper fibers to produce acidic substances, which leads to a decrease in the pH value of the material. When the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the environment reaches 0.1ppm, the degradation rate of corrugated paper will accelerate by 40%. This chemical erosion not only affects the appearance of the material, but also reduces its structural strength. Therefore, families living in industrial areas or near traffic arteries should give priority to cat scratching boards that have undergone special antiseptic treatment to ensure their safety and reliability for long-term use.

The impact of microbial action on materials is more hidden. In a humid environment, mold spores will adhere to the surface of paper fibers and decompose the material by secreting cellulase. Experimental results show that the tensile strength of corrugated paper contaminated by mold decreased by 65% ​​within 28 days. This biodegradation effect is particularly obvious in the rainy season, so it is recommended to use antibacterial spray containing silver ions for regular maintenance to extend the service life of the material.

The impact of air pressure changes in high altitude areas is special. When the air pressure drops from 101.3kPa to 70kPa, the porosity of paper fibers increases by 15%, and this structural change affects the sound feedback when scratching. For cats living in high-altitude areas such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is recommended to choose corrugated paper materials with higher density to maintain a normal scratching experience and ensure the cat's comfort and satisfaction.