Warm tips about sending samples before UV aging test:
1. UV aging tests must provide comparison samples. If you can cut the sample, you do not need to provide comparison samples.
2. The standard sample size: length 50-150 mm, width 50-75 mm, thickness <10 mm. According to the standard, test 3 samples. It’s best to send 4: test 3 and use 1 as a comparison.
Many factors cause material aging, such as temperature and humidity. Others are mechanical force, current, voltage, precipitation, and processing technology. A key cause is that materials absorb light energy, especially ultraviolet light. This causes photochemical and auto-oxidation reactions, changing the materials’ chemical components. This process, known as photo-oxidative aging or light aging, occurs. Shorter wavelengths mean higher energy. Higher energy is more likely to destroy chemical bonds. Although ultraviolet light only accounted for 7% of the total solar radiation, it is the most important part of the solar spectrum. It causes material to age from light.
UV Aging Test Principle
UV ageing tests replicate the damage caused by rain and dew by exposing the material to a controlled interactive cycle of sunlight and moisture while raising the temperature; UV fluorescent lamps simulate sunlight, and condensation or spraying can simulate moisture effects. And UV ageing testing is a test method for assessing the resistance of new materials to UV exposure, usually in a laboratory by means of a UV accelerated ageing tester. In just a few weeks or months, UV weathering tests provide reproducible and reliable weathering test data; their short-wavelength UV illumination and condensation cycle systems realistically simulate the damaging effects of sunlight, dew and rain. During the UV aging test, the UV fluorescent lamps, which are trapezoidal in shape, shine on the sample placed on an aluminum backing plate facing 8 lamps. Irradiance and temperature are also adjustable, but humidity is generally not controlled.
Although it does not simulate the UV range as well as the Xenon lamp, it is cheap and easy to maintain, especially as it accelerates faster. If you only need the data for comparison purposes and do not require life prediction, choosing UV fluorescent lamps is an economical option.
UV Aging UV Lamp Types
UVA-340: Simulates the UV portion of sunlight and is mainly used for light aging tests on outdoor products;
UVA-351: simulates the UV portion of the sunlight that passes through the window glass, mainly used for light aging tests of indoor products;
UVB-313EL: Widely used for fast, time-saving testing of durable materials. Sometimes, it accelerates the aging of materials, leading to abnormal results, and the customer must consent to its use.
A common UV fluorescent lamp aging standard is ASTM G154, which comes with several recommended test conditions (see Table 1) for different materials and industries. Depending on the material, people use different lamps.
| Circulation | Bulb Model | Irradiance (unit W/m²/ nm) | Wavelength (unit:nm) | Exposure Time and Cycle | Recommended Material Type |
| 1 | UVA-340 | 0.89 | 340 | UV light at 60(+/-3) degrees for 8 hours | Coated, raw plastic |
| 2 | UVA-313 | 0.71 | 310 | 50(+/-3) condensation 4 hours | Extended testing of coatings |
| 3 | UVA-313 | 0.49 | 310 | UV light at 60(+/-3) degrees for 8 hours | Exposed parts for automotive use |
| 4 | UVA-340 | 1.55 | 340 | 50(+/3) condensation 4 hours | Exposed parts for automotive use |
| 5 | UVA-313 | 0.62 | 310 | UV light at 70(+/-3) degrees for 8 hours | Roofing materials |
| 6 | UVA-340 | 1.55 | 340 | 50(+/3) condensation 4 hours | Coatings and plastics for high radiation exposure |
| 7 | UVA-340 | 1.55 | 340 | UV light at 70(+/-3) degrees for 8 hours | Thermal shock and ageing of wood coatings |
| 8 | UVA-313 | 28w/m² | From 270 to 700. | 50(+/3) condensation 4 hours | Highest standardised sensory tests to define applications |
UV aging test standard and application range
| Test Standard | Test Condition and Applied Range | Note |
| ASTM G154-16 Cycle 1 (Non-metallic Materials) | No spray conditions Irradiation intensity 0.89W/(m²-nm) @340nm with cycling conditions of. 8h UV at (60±3)°C (BPT)/4h condensation at (50±3)°C (BPT). | Coatings and plastics in common use |
| ASTM D4329-13 Cycle A (Plastics, Exterior) | ||
| ASTM D4587-11 Cycle 4 (Coatings) | Metal Coatings | |
| GB/T 14522-2008 Cycle 1 | Plastics, paints and rubber materials commonly used in the mechanical industry | |
| ASTM C1442-14 Clause 7.3 (Sealants) | 1.Suitable for sealants 2. Customised samples or curing conditions are required. 3.If high and low temperature treatment is required, treatment fee will be charged. | |
| ISO 4892-3:2016 Cycle 1 (Plastics, outdoor) | No spray conditions Irradiation intensity 0.76W/(m²-nm) @340nm with cycling conditions of. 8h UV at (60±3)°C (BPT)/4h condensation at (50±3)°C (BPT). | |
| ASTM D1148-13 (Rubber) Section 7.4 | No spray conditions Irradiation intensity 0.76W/(m2-nm) @340nm with cycling conditions of. 8h UV at (60±3)°C (BPT)/4h condensation at (50±3)°C (BPT). | |
| ASTM D925-14 (Rubber) Method B | Rubber migration contamination test (specimen: 25 x 12 mm uniform thickness rubber sample placed on a 150 x 70 mm metal plate) | |
| GB/T 14522-2008 Cycle 2 | Commonly used in plastics, paints and rubber materials for the mechanical industry. | |
| GB/T 16422.3-2014 Cycle 1 (Plastics) | ||
| ASTM D750-12 (Rubber) Clause 6.8 | No spray condition Irradiation intensity 0.77W/(m²-nm) @340nm with cycling conditions of. 8h UV at (60±3)°C (BPT)/4h condensation at (50±3)°C (BPT). | Evaluation appearance: 150×70mm, 4pcs Evaluation of stretching: thickness of 0.60 ~ 0.75mm, A4 size, 3 sheets |
| AATCC 186-2015 Option 1 (Textiles) | General conditions, commonly used for outdoor furniture fabrics or tent materials | |
| ASTM G154-16 Cycle 2~6,8 (non-metallic materials) | Cycle 2-Coatings Cycle 3, 4, 8-Automotive exterior parts Cycle 5-Roofing materials Cycle 6 – Coatings and plastics requiring high irradiation resistance | |
| ASTM D4329-13 Cycle B,C(plastic, outdoor) | Cycle B – Automotive Plastics. Cycle C – Construction Plastics. | |
| ASTM D4587-11 Cycle 1~3(Paint) | Cycle 1-Automotive Coatings Cycle 2-Protective Coatings for Industry Cycle 3-Outdoor Wood Coatings | |
| ASTM D5208-14 Cycle A, B, C(Photo-degradable plastics) | Cycle C is used for materials that need to be tested for toxicity after ageing. | |
| AATCC 186-2015 Option 3 (Textiles) | Fabrics for automotive exterior parts | |
| ISO 4892-3:2016 Cycle 5, 6 (plastics) | Cycle 5 – Indoor plastics. Cycle 6 – Durable plastics, e.g. roofing materials. | |
| SAE J2020-2016 (Automotive Exterior Parts) | Selected lamps required（UVB-313、UVA-340） | |
| EN ISO 16474-1-2013, EN ISO 16474-3-2013 (Coatings) | Lamps (UVB-313, UVA-340 and UVA-351) and irradiance to be selected | |
| ISO 16474-3:2013 Cycle 1, 3, 4 (Paints and varnishes) | Cycle 1 – UVA-340 lamps / 4h light – 4h condensation Cycle 3 – UVA-351 lamps/continuous light exposure Cycle 4 – UVB-313 lamps / 4h light – 4h condensation | |
| BS 2782 Part 5:1995 Cycle A (Plastics) | Lamps (UVB-313, UVA-340 and UVA-351) and irradiance to be selected | |
| GB/T 16422.3-2014 Cycle 5, 6(Plastics) | ||
| ASTM D4674-02a(2010) Method Ⅳ(Plastics, Interior) | ||
| GB/T 14522-2008 Cycle 3~4, 7~10 | Commonly used in plastics, paints and rubber materials for the mechanical industry. | |
| ISO 4586-2:2015 Section 34 (Decorative laminates for high-pressure thermoforming) | No spray condition UVB lamp 0.48W/m2.nm-1@310nm Cycling conditions are： 4h UV at (60±3)℃ (BST)/4h condensation at (50±3)℃ (BST). | |
| GB/T 16585-1996(Rubber) | Colour evaluation sample requirements:greater than 15 × 50mm Mechanical properties evaluation: reference to mechanical properties test standards | |
| GB/T 23983-2009 (Wood finishes) | Evaluating colour differences | |
| BS EN 14836:2005(Artificial surfaces for outdoor sports premises) | ||
| ASTM G154-16 Cycle 7 (Non-metallic materials) | With spray conditions | Wood lacquer commonly used (examining the heat shrinkage and corrosion resistance of the material) |
| ISO 4892-3:2016 cycle 2, 3, 4 (Plastics, outdoor) | ||
| EN ISO 16474-1-2013, EN ISO 16474-3-2013 (Coatings) | Lamps to be selected (UVB-313, UVA-340 and UVA-351) | |
| ISO 16474-3:2013 Cycle 2, 5 (Paints and varnishes) | Cycle 2 – with UVA-340 lamps/5h light-1h spraying Cycle 5 – UVB-313 lamps/5h light-1h condensation | |
| AATCC 186:2015 Option 2 (Textiles) | Test conditions with thermal shock. For building fabrics or other fabric materials sensitive to thermal shock. | |
| GB/T 16422.3-2014 Cycle 2(Plastics) | ||
| EN 927-6:2006 (Outdoor wood finishes) | ||
| EN 12224:2000 (Geotextiles) | For evaluation of appearance only, standard sample 150 x 70 mm, 5 pcs. If other physical properties are to be evaluated, samples should be made according to the requirements of the relevant performance tests (EN 12226). | |
| GB/T 14522-2008 Cycle 5, 6 | Commonly used in plastics, paints and rubber materials for the mechanical industry. |
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