What is Accelerated Weathering?
Accelerated weathering test is a type of weathering testing which is used to measure future possibilities of materials’ durability under certain environmental conditions.
This is a simulation of the natural conditions using extreme weathering condition to speed up the weathering process and evaluate the impacts on the materials. This testing technique is applied to measure future degradation or corrosion of materials.
In accelerated weathering, the effects of different environmental conditions on raw materials, parts and finished products are tested through simulation. Accelerated weathering testing capabilities include exposure to Ultraviolet lights, Solar radiation, Corrosive environments, Extreme temperature and Humidity conditions.
Accelerated Weathering Test Methods
Solar Radiation
Solar radiation simulates the deteriorating thermal and physical effects of sunlight on materials, parts and finished products.
This test measures how a product changes during exposure, to help make better, more durable products, no matter what the conditions.
It is a key component in MIL-STD-810 and DEF STAN 00-035 test standards.
Xenon Arc Test
Xenon Arc test simulate the weathering process of indoor and outdoor sun exposure on materials through a device called weatherometer.
The test is useful in applications where paints and coatings require premium quality finishes that might be prone to high levels of UV degradation.
Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure Test
UV Exposure testing uses fluorescent UV lamp weathering devices to simulate exposure to natural sunlight.
This test measures the effect of ultraviolet light on the mechanical properties of a product.
Carbon Arc Test
Carbon Arc testing uses a weathering system that emits ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation when an electric current is passed between its carbon rods.
Carbon Arc testing measures a product’s ability to resist deterioration of electrical, mechanical and optical properties when exposed to light and heat.
Why is Accelerated Weathering Useful?
Accelerated weather testing enables you to discover how a product would respond to certain weather conditions. This can be regular weathering under normal conditions or seasonal fluctuations including heavy storms and natural disasters.
By accelerating your weathering testing and regulating it in simulated conditions, you essentially get the same climate-response data, but in a much quicker time.
You’ll have insight into how your products react to light, rain, heat, cold and other factors over specific periods.
Accelerated Weathering Test Standards
AAMA 624
Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for High Performance Organic Coatings on Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Profiles.
This specification describes test procedures and performance requirements for high performance, organic, coatings applied to fiber reinforced thermoset profiles for windows, doors and similar products.
AATCC TM186
Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture Exposure.
This test method provides a procedure for the exposure of textile materials of all kinds, including coated fabrics and products made thereof, in a laboratory artificial weathering exposure apparatus employing fluorescent UV lamps as a light source and using condensing humidity and/ or water spray for wetting.
ASTM C1257
Standard Test Method for Accelerated Weathering of Solvent-Release-Type Sealants.
This test method includes two laboratory accelerated exposure procedures for predicting the effects of ultraviolet or ultraviolet/visible radiation, heat, and moisture on color, chalking, cracking, and adhesion of solvent-release sealants.
ASTM C1442
Practice for Conducting Tests on Sealants Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus.
This practice covers three types of laboratory weathering exposure procedures for evaluating the effect of actinic radiation, heat, and moisture on sealants.
ASTM C1501
Standard Test Method for Color Stability of Building Construction Sealants as Determined by Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures.
This test method describes laboratory accelerated weathering procedures using either fluorescent ultraviolet or xenon arc test devices for determining the color stability of building construction sealants.
ASTM C1519
Standard Test Method for Evaluating Durability of Building Construction Sealants by Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures.
This test method covers the method for the determination of the durability of a sealant based on its ability to function in cyclic movement maintaining adhesion and cohesion after repeated exposure to laboratory accelerated weathering procedures.
ASTM C732
Standard Test Method for Aging Effects of Artificial Weathering on Latex Sealants.
This test method covers a laboratory procedure for the determination of aging effects of artificial weathering on latex sealants.
ASTM C734
Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Flexibility of Latex Sealants After Artificial Weathering.
This test method covers a laboratory procedure for the determination of low-temperature flexibility of latex sealants after 500 h artificial weathering.
ASTM C793
Standard Test Method for Effects of Laboratory Accelerated Weathering on Elastomeric Joint Sealants.
This test method covers a laboratory procedure for determining the effects of accelerated weathering on cured-in-place elastomeric joint sealants (single- and multi-component) for use in building construction.
ASTM D1148
Standard Test Method for Rubber Deterioration-Discoloration from Ultraviolet (UV) and Heat Exposure of Light-Colored Surfaces.
This test method covers techniques to evaluate the surface discoloration of white or light-colored vulcanized rubber that may occur when subjected to UV or UV/visible exposure from specified sources under controlled conditions of relative humidity, or moisture, and temperature.
ASTM D1670
Standard Test Method for Failure End Point in Accelerated and Outdoor Weathering of Bituminous Materials.
This test method covers the use of a spark generating apparatus for determination of failure due to cracking of bituminous materials undergoing accelerated or outdoor weathering on electrically conductive backings.
ASTM D3424
Standard Practice for Evaluating the Relative Lightfastness and Weatherability of Printed Matter.
This standard describes procedures for the determination of the relative lightfastness and weatherability of printed matter under the following conditions, which involve exposure to natural daylight or accelerated procedures in the laboratory.
ASTM D3451
Standard Guide for Testing Coating Powders and Powder Coatings.
This guide covers the selection and use of procedures for testing coating powders and powder coatings.
The test methods included are listed in Table 1. Where more than one test method is listed for the same characteristic, no attempt is made to indicate superiority of one method over another.
Selection of the methods to be followed must be governed by experience and the requirements in each individual case, together with agreement between the purchaser and the seller.
ASTM D4101
Standard Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials.
This specification covers polypropylene materials suitable for injection molding and extrusion. Polymers consist of homopolymer, copolymers, and elastomer compounded with or without the addition of impact modifiers (ethylene-propylene rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, and butyl rubber), colorants, stabilizers, lubricants, or reinforcements.
ASTM D4329
Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV Exposure of Plastics.
This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G154.
ASTM D4434
Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Sheet Roofing.
This specification covers flexible sheet made from poly(vinyl chloride) resin as the primary polymer intended for use in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to the weather.
ASTM D4587
Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings.
This practice covers the selection of test conditions for accelerated exposure testing of coatings and related products in fluorescent UV and condensation devices conducted according to Practices G151 and G154.
ASTM D4674
Standard Practice for Accelerated Testing for Color Stability of Plastics Exposed to Indoor Office Environments.
This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for using fluorescent light to determine color stability of plastics when materials are exposed in typical office environments where fluorescent overhead lighting and window-filtered daylight are used for illumination and where temperature and humidity conditions are in accordance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations for workers’ comfort.
ASTM D4799
Standard Practice for Accelerated Weathering Test Conditions and Procedures for Bituminous Materials (Fluorescent UV, Water Spray, and Condensation Method).
This practice describes test conditions and procedures for fluorescent UV and condensation exposures conducted according to Practices G151 and G154 for bituminous roofing and waterproofing materials that have a minimum softening point of approximately 95°C (200°F) as determined by Test Method D36.
ASTM D4811
Standard Specification for Nonvulcanized (Uncured) Rubber Sheet Used as Roof Flashing.
This specification covers nonvulcanized (uncured) rubber sheet made of EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer) or CR (polychloroprene) intended for use as watertight roof flashing exposed to the weather.
ASTM D5208
Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics.
This practice covers the specific procedures applicable for fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) exposure of photodegradable plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G154.
ASTM D5894
Standard Practice for Cyclic Salt Fog/UV Exposure of Painted Metal, (Alternating Exposures in a Fog/Dry Cabinet and a UV/Condensation Cabinet).
This practice covers basic principles and operating practice for cyclic corrosion/UV exposure of paints on metal; using alternating periods of exposure in two different cabinets: a cycling salt fog/dry cabinet, and a fluorescent UV/condensation cabinet.
ASTM D6577
Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings.
This guide covers the selection and use of test methods and procedures for testing industrial protective coatings.
ASTM D750
Standard Test Method for Rubber Deterioration Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus.
This test method covers specific variations in the test conditions and procedures that shall be applicable when Practice G151 plus either Practice G152, G153, G154, or G155 are employed for exposure of vulcanized rubber compounds.
ASTM D882
Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting.
This test method covers the determination of tensile properties of plastics in the form of thin sheeting and films (less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness).
ASTM D904
Standard Practice for Exposure of Adhesive Specimens to Artificial Light.
This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for ultraviolet (UV) light aging (with or without water) of adhesive bonded joints having at least one glass or transparent adhered, using fluorescent UV (see Method A) or xenon-arc light sources (see Method B).
ASTM D925
Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Staining of Surfaces (Contact, Migration, and Diffusion).
These test methods cover techniques to evaluate three types of staining that rubber may cause when in contact with, or in proximity to, another surface that may be light colored.
ASTM E3006
ASTM E3006, Standard Practice for Ultraviolet Conditioning of Photovoltaic Modules or Mini-Modules Using a Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus.
This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions for performing ultraviolet conditioning exposures on photovoltaic modules or mini-modules using fluorescent ultraviolet lamps.
ASTM F1164
Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Transparent Plastics Exposed to Accelerated Weathering Combined with Biaxial Stress.
This test method covers the resistance of transparent plastics exposed to environmental conditioning (accelerated weathering) under a biaxial stress state induced by a pressure cell/test fixture.
ASTM F1945
Standard Practice for Determining the Lightfastness of Ink Jet Prints Exposed to Indoor Fluorescent Lighting
This practice covers an accelerated procedure intended to determine the lightfastness of ink jet prints in office environments where overhead fluorescent light is used for illumination.
ASTM G151
Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices That Use Laboratory Light Sources.
This practice provides general procedures to be used when exposing nonmetallic materials in accelerated test devices that use laboratory light sources.
ASTM G154
Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials.
This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for using fluorescent UV light, and water apparatus intended to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed to sunlight (either direct or through window glass) and moisture as rain or dew in actual usage.
DIN 75220
Ageing of automotive components in solar simulation units
EN 13523-10 (DIN)
Coil Coated Metals – Test Methods Part 10: Resistance to Fluorescent UV Radiation and Water Condensation
GM 9125P
Procedures for Laboratory Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Materials.
These procedures are used to determine the resistance to degradation of automotive materials when subjected to artificial light sources. It describes exposures to sunshine carbon arc, xenon arc, fluorescent ultraviolet light and condensation apparatus, and a twin carbon arc.
IEC 61215
Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovaltalic (PV) Modules – Design Qualification and Type Approval
IEC 61345
UV Test for Photovaltalic (PV) Modules
ISO 11507 (EN) (DIN)
Paints and Varnishes – Exposure of coatings to artificial weathering- Exposure to fluorescent UV lamps and water.
This International Standard specifies exposure conditions for paint coatings exposed to artificial weathering in apparatus including fluorescent UV lamps and condensation or water spray.
ISO 29664
Plastics – Artificial weathering including acidic deposition
ISO 4892-1 (EN) (DIN)
Plastics – Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources – Part 1: General guidance
ISO 4892-3 (EN) (DIN)
Plastics – Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources – Part 3: Fluorescent UV Lamps
MIL STD 810 E.
This standard lays out environmental test methods and engineering guidelines, a separate part of which describes a test of solar exposure, where the special requirements concerning lamps and measurement equipment are stipulated.
SAE J2020
Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Fluorescent UV and Condensation Apparatus