Ultraviolet radiation, temperature, and moisture are the factors that contribute to material degradation for products exposed to the elements. Accelerated weathering is the simulation of these conditions using special environmental chambers and instruments in order to speed up the weathering process and measure its effects on parts, components, products, and materials.
Effects of weathering on materials
Environmental exposure can effect almost any material, including plastics, rubbers, composites, paints and coatings, metals, textiles, stone and concrete, and much more. Some effects of weathering on materials includes Haze, Yellowness Index, Color Change, Transmission, as well as effects on physical properties like Impact Strength.
Benefits of environmental exposure testing
In certain industries, accelerated weathering testing is required to ensure materials or products meet regulatory standards. Some of these standards include ASTM B117 (Salt Spray (Fog) Testing), ASTM B368 (Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)), ASTM D1735 (Water Fog (Humidity)), ASTM D4587 (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings (QUV)), ASTM D4329, ASTM D4587, ISO 4892, and SAE J2020. Our experts support your quality program with accredited testing and documentation to these and other standards important to your business.
Accelerated Weathering capabilities
Accelerated weathering allows manufacturers to evaluate performance of their products under extreme conditions, providing a documented basis of comparison and detailed information that can be critical to production planning and specifications. Our capabilities include:
- Xenon Arc testing
- Carbon Arc testing
- UV Exposure testing