Standards and Test Methods

ASTM G151 - Standard Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
This practice provides general procedures to be used when exposing materials in accelerated weathering devices that use laboratory light sources. ASTM G151 is a companion standard to be used in conjunction with ASTM G152, ASTM G153, ASTM G154, and ASTM G155, in provides overall guidance common to all instruments using the different light sources

ASTM G154 - Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
This weathering standard provides guidance for operating fluorescent UV testing devices intended to accelerate and reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed outdoors in actual use, either directly to the sun or through window glass. Light sources as specified in ASTM G154 provides a good match to the low wavelength range of natural solar UV radiation but are deficient in the longer wavelength UV range and do not contain visible and infrared radiation. While intended to reproduce the weathering and colorfastness of effects of natural solar radiation, the limited UV spectrum in these light sources is very well suited for screening materials to degradation caused by short wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light. These screening tools are effective in selecting materials prior to more in depth and realistic weathering and colorfastness testing tools such as xenon-arc accelerated weathering and colorfastness devices.

ASTM G155 - Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Materials
Weathering standard ASTM G155 provides guidance for operating xenon arc instruments intended to accelerate and reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed outdoors in actual use, either directly to the sun or through window glass. Utilizing the state-of-the-art xenon-arc light source, with available filter technology (e.g., Daylight Type I), the accelerated weathering and color fastness devices specified in this practice are well suited for accurately simulating realistic effects on materials when exposed to full spectrum ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) solar radiation. When proper test cycles and lamp filters are selected, these weathering and lightfastness tools can be very effective in selecting materials and testing durability.

ISO 877-1 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to solar radiation - Part 1: General guidance
This outdoor weathering testing standard provides general information and guidance for performing outdoor exposures of plastics and similar materials. ISO 877-1 gives guidance on the exposure equipment, climate-measuring instruments, specimen preparation, conditioning and handling, and types of exposure. More detailed information on specific exposure methods is given in the other parts of the ISO 877 series.

ISO 877-2 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to solar radiation - Part 2: Direct weathering and exposure behind window glass
Outdoor weathering testing standard ISO 877-2 provides guidance and information on the exposure of plastics to unfiltered ("direct") global solar radiation (method A) and to solar radiation filtered by window glass (method B). This guidance includes description of the exposure racks and exposure conditions.

ISO 877-3 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to solar radiation - Part 3: Intensified weathering using concentrated solar radiation
Outdoor weathering testing standard ISO 877-3 provides guidance and information on the exposure of plastics to concentrated solar radiation. The solar concentrators used in this standard use mirrors in a Fresnel-type array to concentrate the sunlight on the test specimen and track the path of the sun. This standard gives guidance on the operation of these devices, including temperature control and specimen wetting to accelerate the weathering process.

ISO 2810 - Paints and Varnishes - Natural Weathering of Coatings - Exposure and assessment
This outdoor weathering testing standard provides information and guidance for performing outdoor exposures of coatings and similar materials. ISO 2810 gives guidance on the exposure equipment, climate-measuring instruments, specimen preparation, conditioning and handling, and types of exposure. Test methods are described for the direct (unfiltered) and indirect (filtered by window glass) exposure of coatings.

ASTM G7 – Standard Practice for Natural Weathering of Materials
Weathering standard ASTM G7 provides general guidance for exposing materials directly to the outdoor environment. It is typically used by testing labs at benchmark outdoor weathering locations, as well as other locations globally, for testing materials exposed to direct natural sunlight.

ASTM G24 – Standard Practice for Conducting Exposures to Daylight Filtered Through Glass
Weathering standard ASTM G24 provides general guidance for exposing materials outdoors behind window glass. It is typically used by testing labs at benchmark outdoor weathering locations, as well as other locations globally, for testing materials exposed to behind a glass covering, for applications where a material is indoors behind a window or the interior of an automobile.

ASTM G90 – Standard Practice of Performing Accelerated Outdoor Weathering of Materials Using Concentrated Natural Sunlight
Standard ASTM G90 on accelerated outdoor weathering provides guidance for performing exposure testing of materials using a linear Fresnel-reflector accelerated outdoor weathering test machine. This type of testing is typically performed by labs at benchmark desert benchmark weathering locations. Devices specified in this standard are unique in that they concentrate natural sunlight via highly reflective, specially coated mirrors onto the specimen target area with possible acceleration rates of approximately 10 to 12 years of South Florida UV radiation in one calendar year of exposure. The devices track the sun and exposes specimens to the full spectrum of sunlight, making it one of the most realistic accelerated tests available. Because they provide an excellent spectral match to sunlight, it correlates well to actual real time exposures.

ISO 16474-1 - Paints and varnishes - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 1: General guidance
This laboratory weathering standard provides general guidance and information on weathering and lightfastness testing of coatings and similar materials. ISO 16474-1 includes performance and calibration requirements for devices used for exposing coatings to artificial light sources. More guidance related to specific light sources is given in the other parts of the ISO 16474 series of standards.

ISO 16474-2 - Paints and varnishes - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
Laboratory weathering standard ISO 16474-2 provides guidance on the basic principles and the operation of xenon-arc weathering test instruments. The intention is to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when coatings and similar materials are exposed to the effects of weather, including sunlight (either direct or through window glass), heat, and moisture as rain or dew in actual use. Xenon-arc light sources, with appropriate filter technology (e.g., Daylight Type I), provide the most realistic match to natural solar radiation, including UV and the visible range and are therefore suitable to simulated both, photodegradation and solar load effects, most realistically.

ISO 16474-3 - Paints and varnishes - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps
This laboratory weathering standard provides guidance on the basic principles and the operation of fluorescent UV weathering test instruments. The intention of ISO 16474-3 is to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when coatings and similar materials are exposed to the effects of weather, including sunlight (either direct or through window glass) and moisture as rain or dew. These light sources provide a good match to the low wavelength range of natural solar UV radiation but are deficient in the longer wavelength UV range and do not contain visible and infrared radiation. Therefore, they are suitable and efficient to screen the low wavelength UV stability of coatings, while effects which require longer wavelength radiation (fading, bleaching, secondary photo-oxidation, heat load) need to be validated with more realistic light sources.

ASTM D6695 - Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
This xenon weathering standard provides specific guidance for testing coatings on metallic, wood, and other substrates using practices ASTM G151 and ASTM G155 for outdoor applications. ASTM D6695 gives information on specimen preparation and testing before and after exposures specifically on coatings. While being an international standard and used globally, this practice is typically specified in US markets.

ASTM D7869 - Standard Practice for Xenon Arc Exposure Test with Enhanced Light and Water Exposure for Transportation Coatings
This xenon-arc weathering testing standard specifies procedures used to simulate and accelerate the environmental stresses for exterior coating applications, especially those used for the automotive and aerospace industries, when exposed in a subtropical climate, such as South Florida. ASTM D7869 simulates daily diurnal cycles by using varying irradiance levels. Moisture uptake in automotive and aerospace coating systems, is simulated by a complex cycle, including wet and dry as well as light and dark sub-cycles. To maximize the application and effectiveness of moisture, spray is only applied in dark cycles.

ISO 4892-1 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 1: General guidance
Weathering standard ISO 4892-1 provides general guidance and information on weathering and lightfastness testing of plastics and similar materials. This includes performance and calibration requirements for devices used for exposing plastics to artificial light sources. More guidance related to specific light sources is given in the other parts of the ISO 4892 series of standards..

ISO 4892-2 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
Xenon weathering standard ISO 4892-2 provides the basic principles and guidance for operating xenon arc instruments intended to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when plastics and similar materials are exposed to weather, including sunlight (either direct or through window glass) and moisture as rain or dew in actual use. Xenon-arc light sources, with appropriate filter technology (e.g. Daylight Type I), provide the most realistic match to natural solar radiation, including UV and the visible range and are therefore suitable to simulated both, photodegradation and solar load effects, most realistically.

ISO 4892-3 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 3: Fluorescent UV-lamps
Weathering standard ISO 4892-3 provides guidance on the basic principles and the operation of fluorescent UV weathering test instruments. The intention is to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when plastics and similar materials are exposed to the effects of weather, including sunlight (either direct or through window glass) and moisture as rain or dew.

These light sources provide a good match to the low wavelength range of natural solar UV radiation but are deficient in the longer wavelength UV range and do not contain visible and infrared radiation. Therefore, they are suitable and efficient to screen the low wavelength UV stability of plastics, while effects which require longer wavelength radiation (fading, bleaching, secondary photo-oxidation, heat load) need to be validated with more realistic light sources.

Note: ISO 4892-3 specifies two different types of test devices: one with condensation as primary wetting option and one where the specimen and lamps are installed in a climatic chamber.

ASTM D2565 - Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Outdoor Applications
Xenon-arc weathering standard ASTM D2565 provides specific guidance for testing plastics using practices ASTM G151 and ASTM G155 for outdoor applications. It gives information on specimen preparation and testing before and after exposures specifically on plastics. While being an international standard and used globally, this practice is typically specified in US markets.

AATCC TM 16.3 – Test Methods for Colorfastness to Light: Xenon-Arc
This lightfastness testing standard provides general guidance for testing textile materials to colorfastness to light using xenon-arc accelerated weathering and colorfastness devices. Although AATCC TM 16.3 is primarily specified for US markets, being such a popular standard, it is also used internationally.

ISO 105-B02 - Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc fading lamp test
Textile lightfastness standard ISO 105-B02 specifies test methods for determining the effect of light on the color of textiles of all kinds and in all forms. This method uses filtered xenon-arc radiation representative of natural daylight through window glass. The method is also applicable to white (bleached or optically brightened) textiles. This method uses the blue wool scale as references to determine the test duration and to assign lightfastness ratings.

ISO 105-B06 - Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B06: Colour fastness and ageing to artificial light at high temperatures: Xenon arc fading lamp test
Textile hot-light fastness standard ISO 105-B06 specifies methods using xenon-arc instruments for determining the color fastness and ageing properties of textiles and similar materials under the action of sunlight filtered through window glass, and the simultaneous action of heat. This method gives special consideration to the light and heat conditions that occur in the interior of a motor vehicle (hot-light fastness testing). This method uses the blue wool scale as references to determine the test duration.

SAE J2412 - Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Interior Trim Components Using a Controlled Irradiance Xenon-Arc Apparatus
This automotive performance-based weathering test method provides guidance for using xenon arc exposure devices for performing accelerated exposures on materials intended to be used in automotive interior applications. It was published by the US Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), now SAE International. Legacy standard SAE J2412, along with its predecessor, SAE J1885, served as the primary accelerated test method for the US automotive industry for testing materials for interior applications for many years. While designed for automotive applications, this method was adopted by many other industries with similar applications.

SAE J2527 - Performance Based Standard for Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using A Controlled Irradiance Xenon-Arc Apparatus
This automotive performance based weathering test method provides guidance for using xenon arc exposure devices performing accelerated exposures on materials intended to be used in automotive exterior applications. It was published by the US Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), now SAE International. Legacy standard SAE J2527, along with its predecessor, SAE J1960, served as the primary accelerated test method for the US automotive industry for testing materials for exterior applications for many years. While designed for automotive applications, this method was adopted by many other industries with similar applications.

VDA 75202 - Automotive interior materials - Colourfastness and ageing test against light at high temperatures: Xenon arc light
This German automotive hot-light testing standard (based on DIN 75202) specifies methods using xenon-arc instruments for determining the color fastness and ageing properties of textiles and similar materials under the action of sunlight filtered through window glass, and the simultaneous action of heat. This method gives special consideration to the light and heat conditions that occur in the interior of a motor vehicle (hot-light fastness testing). Even though VDA 75202 is withdrawn, it was the basis for the international standard ISO 105-B06 and is still frequently cited in OEM specifications.

Ford FLTM BO 116-01 - Resistance to interior weathering
Specified for their suppliers, Ford Laboratory Test Method FLTM BO 116-01 on weathering of automotive interior provides guidance for using xenon arc exposure devices for performing accelerated exposures on materials intended to be used inside vehicles. This newer standard is replacing the legacy SAE J2412 and SAE J1885 standards in Ford specifications for many materials and applications.

General Motors GMW 14162 - Colorfastness to Artificial Weathering
Specified by General Motors for their suppliers, this automotive laboratory weathering test method provides guidance for using xenon arc exposure devices for performing accelerated exposures on materials intended to be used in automotive interior applications. GMW 14162 refers to SAE J2412 and ISO 105-B06 (Condition 5). It is used in General Motors specifications for hot-light fastness testing for many materials and applications.

MIL-STD 810H - Environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests - Part 2: Laboratory test methods - 505.7: Solar radiation (Sunshine)
US military standard MIL-STD 810H provides broad industry guidance for material engineering and program planning to consider the primary solar environmental stresses for products intended for military applications outdoors. It does not limit the user to a specific test instrument or design, but rather, using a tailoring process, it describes how to develop a study that results in realistic system performance. While the light source is not specifically specified in Part 2 – Method 505.7 on solar radiation, using traditional laboratory accelerated devices, typically, metal halide and xenon arc exposure equipment are used to meet this standard.