V-PRO® Protection Board: Proven Superior in Independent EU Tests

V-PRO® Protection Board outperforms two of the industry’s most recognized brands - Ram Board and X-Board—across multiple key performance metrics:

• Slip resistance (wet and dry)

• Tensile strength (wet and dry)

• Impact resistance
  

When it comes to jobsite protection, performance isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Construction and renovation projects demand materials that can handle real-world stress without compromising safety or efficiency. At V-PRO®, we don’t just make bold claims, we back them up with independent data.

The latest independent testing by MIJtech B.V. in the Netherlands confirms what professionals already know: V-PRO® outperforms both Ram Board and X-Board across the metrics that matter most, which are slip resistance, tensile strength, and impact resistance. In wet conditions especially, V-PRO® leads the category by a significant margin.

The Tests:

V-PRO® was tested using industry-recognized norms, including:

• Slip Resistance – Dry & Wet (NEN EN 16165 / NEN 7909)

• Pendulum Test Values (PTV) (NEN EN 13036-4)

• Tensile Strength – Dry & Wet (MIJtech Internal Protocol)

• Impact Resistance (EN ISO 6272-1)

These tests simulate real-world site conditions, providing a crystal-clear picture of how each product performs where it matters most. The materials tested included V-PRO® with a thickness of 0.618 mm, X-Board at 0.512 mm, and Ram Board at 0.925 mm.

Slip Resistance (Wet & Dry)

Test Setup: The slip resistance test was conducted with a device called a tribometer, which measures friction, wear, and lubrication between two surfaces in contact. It measures both dry and wet conditions.

The results:

• Dry Conditions: All three products passed.

• Wet Conditions:

  • V-PRO®: Best (μ=0.33)

  • Ram Board: Fail (μ=0.30)

  • X-Board: Fail (μ=0.29)

  V-PRO® delivers the highest coefficient of friction in wet environments, critical for preventing slips and injuries.

Pendulum Test Values (PTV)

Test Setup: in a Pendulum Test, a weighted arm with a rubber slider swings across the test surface, mimicking a slipping foot in both wet and dry circumstances. The distance it travels after contact indicates the surface’s slip resistance. The mean of 5 measurements is the final number.

The results:

• Dry PTV: V-PRO® (88) > X-Board (81) > Ram Board (76)

• Wet PTV: V-PRO® (43) > X-Board (30) > Ram Board (29)

  Again, V-PRO® stands out for wet performance, a key differentiator in safety.

Tensile Strength

Test Setup: in a Tensile Test, a sample is put in a setup as above. The machine pulls on both ends until the sample fails, both dry and wet. The force applied in Newton (N) is registered. The example on the left is pulling force, the right is tearing resistance.

The results (1 newton (N) is approximately 0.2248 pounds-force):

• Dry:

  • X-Board: 150 N

  • V-PRO®: 134 N

  • Ram Board: 34 N

• Wet:

  • V-PRO®: 131 N

  • X-Board & Ram Board: 22 N

  V-PRO® retains nearly all of its tensile strength when wet—an essential advantage in unpredictable conditions.

Impact Resistance

Test Setup: The impact resistance test was conducted on laminate flooring using a 1 kg (2.2 lb) steel ball dropped from a fixed height of 1 meter (38 inches).

• Dent depth after 1m drop (1kg ball):

  • V-PRO®: -0.24 mm (best)

  • Ram Board: -0.33 mm

  • X-Board: -0.39 mm

  Even though Ram Board is thicker (0.925 mm), V-PRO® (0.618 mm) absorbed impact more efficiently. Thickness isn’t everything, composition and energy dispersion matter more.

Highlight: Impact Resistance of V-PRO® and Ram Board

What surprised us most? Ram Board, often perceived as the most impact-resistant option due to its greater thickness, actually underperformed in the impact resistance test. It recorded a deeper dent than V-PRO®, proving that thickness alone doesn’t guarantee better protection: material composition and energy dispersion matter more.

As you can see in the figures the results where in the favor of V-PRO®, followed by Ram Board and eventually X-Board.

The numbers represent how deep the steel ball dented the surface through the protection board. The shallower the dent, the better the material performed in absorbing impact.

• V-PRO® had the shallowest dent, confirming the best protection in this test.

• Ram Board, although thicker, performed worse than V-PRO®.

• X-Board had the deepest dent, indicating the lowest impact resistance of the three.

What we've learned from this test it that impact resistance isn’t just about thickness—it’s about density, core composition, and how a material disperses energy. V-PRO®’s unique layered structure absorbs and spreads impact forces more efficiently, protecting the surface underneath better than thicker, denser boards.

In the past during a different impact test (not part of the MIJtech study) by engineers, a ½ lb ball was dropped from increasing heights until damage occurs, both with and without protective covering. In that setup, Ram Board did score slightly better than V-PRO®. Both results are valid—they simply reflect different scenarios:

• The ball drop from 1 meter (38") simulates everyday jobsite mishaps (e.g., tool drops).

• The height-increase test reflects maximum resistance under extreme conditions.

Different approach, different outcome—and neither tells the whole story. Because on jobsites, anything can happen.

We’re not here to say V-PRO® is better than Ram Board at everything. We focus on different applications, and impact resistance isn’t our only strength—but it’s reassuring to know we compete (and sometimes outperform) even the thickest board on offer.

Complete Performance Comparison: Proven Superior in Independent Tests

Test Property	Ram Board	X-Board	V-PRO®
Slip Resistance – Dry	Pass	Pass	Pass
Slip Resistance – Wet	Fail (μ=0.30)	Fail (μ=0.29)	Best (μ=0.33)
Pendulum Test – Dry (PTV)	76	81	88
Pendulum Test – Wet (PTV)	29	30	43
Tensile Strength – Dry	34 N	150 N	134 N
Tensile Strength – Wet	22 N	22 N	131 N
Impact Resistance (1M/38" Drop)	-0.33 mm	-0.39 mm	-0.24 mm

Looking at these results, we can arrive at the following conclusions:

✅ Exceptional Wet Performance - Unlike X-Board and Ram Board, V-PRO® retains its tensile strength when exposed to moisture. This is an essential advantage in unpredictable site conditions.

✅ Best-in-Class Impact Protection - When subjected to a 1 kg steel ball drop from 1 meter (38"), V-PRO® exhibited the shallowest dent at only -0.24 mm, confirming its superior ability to absorb and disperse impact energy.

✅ Outstanding Slip Resistance - V-PRO® demonstrated the highest coefficient of friction in wet conditions (μ=0.33), significantly reducing the risk of slips and falls. This is an important factor in site safety compliance.

✅ Certified to EU Standards - All tests were conducted under officially recognized EU testing standards and protocols, ensuring the results are both reliable and relevant for professional flooring and construction environments.

We did not conduct tests for liquid resistance, as V-PRO® is already known to outperform in this area. Its non-absorbent, leak-proof structure resists penetration from even the harshest substances, whether it’s acetone, water-based primer, acrylic, latex paint, or oil-based products. In contrast, paper-based boards begin to deteriorate quickly under similar conditions. That’s why we chose to focus on other key performance factors where V-PRO® truly stands out: tensile strength and slip resistance.

The final result: "V-PRO® is proven superior in independent tests on slip resistance (when wet), tensile strength, and impact resistance."

Why Independent Tests Matters

On busy jobsites, floor protection is more than just a buffer… it’s your first line of defense against costly repairs, injury risks, and project delays. That’s why objective, independent third-party testing under certified standards (EU, US, or anywhere else) is essential. It ensures you’re getting more than marketing hype - you’re getting actual proven data.

Put the data to the test

👉 Curious to test it yourself? Request a free sample today and put V-PRO® to work on your next project.