Ultraviolet Exposure & UV Testing Services

Ultraviolet exposure (UV testing) is performed to understand how a material will withstand the damaging effects of ultraviolet exposure, which can cause significant changes to the properties and useful life of a material.

Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause a host of issues, including fatigue and reduction of strength, yellowing or discoloration, cracking, brittleness, and general deterioration. To combat this, UV testing simulates the sun’s ultraviolet rays in a controlled laboratory setting. 

Ultraviolet exposure & UV testing programs allow labs to test for prolonged periods of exposure in a fraction of the time. Because of the variety of environmental factors involved in real-world scenarios, it is advisable to avoid attempts to correlate laboratory UV testing with specific time frames of real word aging. However, labs can provide comparative data for multiple materials to evaluate overall resistance to UV aging. 

Element’s Unique UV Testing Capabilities 

Element offers accelerated aging and UV weathering testing throughout the United States and in Europe. Our experts can perform weathering tests on polymers, coatings, metals and small components. Element’s labs are equipped to perform some of the most popular UV testing standards, including ASTM G154, ASTM G155, ISO 4892 and MIL-STD-810, along with a wide range of unique, custom projects. 

In addition to solar radiation and weather, Element experts can simulate long-term full spectrum (ultraviolet, visible, and infrared) actinic effects. Element can also calibrate the solar spectrum as required, including ultraviolet band spectrum, visible band spectrum, and infrared band spectrum.

To find out more about our capabilities and how Element can help you meet your UV weathering and accelerated aging requirements, connect with an expert today.