Benchmark Climates

WE TEST EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN ®

Overview +

It is not practical to determine the weathering characteristics of materials in all of the world's climates. Therefore, benchmark climates selected for exposure testing are based on their known severity for the weathering of materials and the anticipated market of the product. The major marketing area of the materials should be taken into consideration when selecting suitable climates and sites for weathering tests.

Sub-Tropical +

For over 75 years, the Miami region of southern Florida has been a benchmark for outdoor testing of material's durability. High levels of ultraviolet radiation, humidity and temperature combine to provide a subtropical environment widely specified for outdoor exposure testing. Companies worldwide use Atlas' outdoor exposure site for exposure testing of paints, coatings, textiles, plastics and other various products.

Atlas utilizes the latest technology in weather reporting instrumentation, such as total solar (Ultraviolet, Visible and Infrared), total UV and narrow-band UV radiometers and pyrheliometers. Both sites also employ instruments for monitoring ambient temperature and humidity, rainfall, total wet-time and wind speed. All instruments are directly traceable to national and international standards, including the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Learn more about Atlas' South Florida Test Site.

Florida

Local informations
Location:
Latitude	25° 52' North
Longitude	80° 27' West
Elevation	3 meters (10 ft)
Distance From Ocean	27 km (17 miles)
Temperature:
Average High	34°C / 93°F (Summer), 26°C / 79°F (Winter)
Average Low	23°C / 73°F (Summer), 13°C / 55°F (Winter)
Relative Humidity:
Annual Mean	78%
Annual Precipitation (Rain)	1685 mm / 66 inches
*Solar Radiant Exposure:**
Total	6588 MJ/m²
UV	280 MJ/m²

*Radiant Exposure measured at latitude tilt angle (26° South)

Av. Monthly UV and Total Radiant Exposure for Southern Florida (MJ/m²)

YEARLY TOTAL

MONTH	UV*	TOTAL
January	20.0	505
February	22.5	545
March	26.5	545
April	28.0	612
May	28.0	609
June	25.7	543
July	24.7	532
August	24.0	543
September	22.3	540
October	21.7	555
November	18.0	490
December	18.6	496
YEARLY TOTAL	280.0	6588

Desert +

Along with southern Florida, Arizona has long been considered a benchmark for outdoor exposure testing. Both sites, possess high levels of solar radiation and elevated temperatures, two crucial factors in weathering processes. Unlike southern Florida, however, Arizona has low relative humidity (approximately 30%) that can have a distinct effect on materials durability.

Atlas' Arizona desert site is located at approximately 50km (30mi) north of metropolitan Phoenix in an unpolluted environment. Since 1948, DSET has offered desert exposure testing suitable for materials used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, construction and consumer products.

Learn more about Atlas' Phoenix, AZ Test Site.

Arizona

Local informations
Latitude	33° 54' North
Longitude	112° 08' West
Elevation	610 meters (2000 ft)
Temperature:
Average High	39°C / 102°F (Summer), 24°C / 75°F (Winter)
Average Low	20°C / 68°F (Summer), 8°C / 46°F (Winter)
Relative Humidity:
Annual Mean	37%
Annual Precipitation (Rain)	255 mm / 10 inches
*Solar Radiant Exposure:**
Total	8004 MJ/m²
UV	334 MJ/m²

* Radiant Exposure measured at latitude tilt angle (34° South)

Av. Monthly UV and Total Radiant Exposure for Central Arizona (MJ/m²)

MONTH	UV*	TOTAL
January	20.1	490
February	19.8	546
March	24.7	633
April	33.3	755
May	38.6	786
June	36.8	770
July	35.1	745
August	32.5	756
September	29.3	711
October	25.8	705
November	19.2	582
December	18.3	525
YEARLY TOTAL	333.5	8004

Mediterranian +

The Bandol region of France possesses a typical Mediterranean climate. With 3,000 hours of sunlight per year, an elevation of 110 m (361 ft), average wet time of 2,700 hours and a proximity to the Mediterranean Sea of only 4 km, the site is used by many European companies to test a wide range of materials.

Sanary, France

Local informations
Location:
Latitude	43° 08' North
Longitude	5° 49' East
Elevation	110 meters
Temperature:
Annual Avg. Temperature	13° C (55° F)
Relative Humidity:
Avg. Relative Humidity	76%
Total Rain	700 mm
*Solar Radiant Exposure:**
Total UV 295-385 nm	382.4 MJ/m²*
Total Radiant Energy 295-3000 nm	5500 MJ/m²

*Data measured from 300-400 nm

Static Weathering Testing