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Environmental and light resistance tests, ageing tests

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Environmental resistance testing of synthetic materials and rubbers

Holding test objects under climatic conditions of 23°C and 50% RH

Devices

  • MEMMERT climatic chamber

Testing norms

  • ISO 23529 – Rubber – General Examination Procedure for physical testing methods
  • PN-EN ISO 291 – Plastics – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
Komora klimatyczna MEMMERT

Resistance of gums and thermoplastic rubbers to ageing

Resistance to ageing in ozonated air

A rubber or thermoplastic rubber’s resistance to cracking when subjected to static or dynamic tensile (stretching) strains is assessed in air at a specified temperature, humidity and concentration of ozone, with the direct action of light being eliminated. The ozone chamber with a working volume of 310 litres also permits tests on non-rubber materials to be carried out, at a wide range of ozone concentrations, from 25 to 1000 pphm.

Testing norms

  • PN-ISO 1431-1
  • ASTM D1149

Devices

  • Anseros SIM6300-TH ozone chamber
  • 400/130 AB/DU-Oz ozonometer

In the photo: the interior of the ozone chamber with devices for static and dynamic testing.

Wnętrze komory ozonowej z oprzyrządowaniem do badań statycznych i dynamicznych
  • Ozone chamber
    Ozone chamber
  • Ozone chamber panel
    Ozone chamber panel

Rubber – determination of resistance to the action of liquids

The resistance of rubber and thermoplastic rubbers to liquid is evaluated by determining their properties before immersion in the test liquid and then after removing them from the liquid (thus determining the change in mass, change in dimensions, change in surface area, change in hardness, change in tensile properties). The test liquids are commonly used working fluids, such as petroleum derivatives, organic solvents and chemical reagents, as well as reference test fluids. Samples are immersed in the selected liquid for a specified time at the selected temperature.

Test norm

  • PN-ISO 1817

Devices

  • Thermal chambers: Heraeus, POL-EKO
Komory temperaturowe

Rubber and thermoplastic rubber – accelerated ageing and heat resistance tests

Samples for testing are tested in a controlled manner by the action of air at elevated temperature for a certain period of time. The physical properties are then determined (e.g. tensile strength, stress at medium elongation, ultimate elongation, hardness) and values compared to the same properties of control samples (test specimens that have not been aged).

Test norm

  • PN-ISO 188

Product thermal resistance tests

Test objects or reference plates (samples) are subjected to variable temperature cycles, or exposed to a constant temperature in suitable temperature or climatic chambers.

Devices

The laboratory has a range of temperature and climatic chambers operating from -70 to 200°C and a range of laboratory dryers operating in the range from RT up to 300°C.

  • WEISS
  • CTS
  • ESPEC
  • Vötsch
  • POL-EKO
  • Memmert

Testing norms

  • PN-C-81556
  • ASTM B604
  • PN-EN 60068-2

Customer norms

  • Ford, CEVT, Volvo, VW, Renault, GMW, PSA, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Kia, Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, as well as others.
Badanie odporności wyrobów na temperaturę

Product light and weather conditions resistance tests

Testing in solar simulation chamber – metal halide lamps

Determination of materials’ and components’ resistance to solar radiation is a very important aspect of products’ quality evaluation. Simulation of the impact of external conditions on materials may be performed with various methods. In the case of simulation of solar radiation, the type of light source is of great importance, due to differences in spectral characteristics. Radiation emitted by metal halide lamps very closely simulates the spectral energy distribution and intensity of solar radiation – as per CIE publication No. 85 (spectral range: UV-VIS-IR i.e. 280 – 3000 nm), with fully regulated intensity.

Testing of components and assemblies in solar simulation chambers allows determination of changes in such properties as shape, colour, gloss or strength. Other characteristics that are common evaluated are presence of stains, cracks or delamination and other aesthetic and functional aspects.

Chamber allows performing of:

  • cyclic tests,
  • long-term tests,

Installation of appropriate filters allows simulation of:

  • outdoor conditions (simulation of outdoor climatic conditions’ impact on a vehicle’s exposed surfaces),
  • indoor conditions (simulation of climatic conditions within a closed passenger compartment).
Lampy metahalogenkowe

ESPEC Type ARS-1100 climatic chamber with MHG 2500W light module (metal halide lamp)

Equipment:

ESPEC Type ARS-1100 climatic chamber with MHG 2500W light module (metal halide lamp)

Chamber’s equipment:

  • Light module SolarConstant 2500W allowing solar radiation simulation

Chamber’s basic parameteres:

  • Temperature range: -75°C – 180°C
  • Humidity range: 10 – 98% RH
  • Internal volume: 1100 L
  • Chamber’s internal dimensions: 1100 x 1000 x 1000 mm (width x height x depth)

Testing standards:

  • DIN 75220 – Ageing of automotive components in solar simulation units
  • VDA 230-219
Komora klimatyczna ESPEC TYP ARS-1100 z modułem świetlnym MHG 2500 W (lampa metalohalogenkowa)

Resistance to weather conditions. Exposure to laboratory light sources. Xenon-arc lamps

The test method consists of exposing working samples to artificial weather conditions (filtered xenon lamp, temperature, humidity and precipitation) in order to achieve laboratory simulation of ageing processes that occur as a result of natural weather conditions. Resistance to weather conditions is assessed by comparing the colour change of the tested working sample to a sample not exposed by means of a grey scale according to ISO 105-A02.

Testing norms

  • PN-EN ISO 4892-2, method A
  • PN-EN ISO 16474-2, method A
  • PN-EN ISO 105-B04

Customer norms

  • Ford, Volvo, VW, Renault, GMW, PSA, BMW, Daimler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Kia, Fiat, as well as others

Equipment

  • Xenon Weather-Ometer Ci 3000+
  • Xenon Weather-Ometer Ci 4000
  • Xenon Weather-Ometer Ci 4400
Komory z lampami ksenonowymi łukowymi

Resistance to light. Exposure to laboratory light sources. Xenon-arc lamps

The test method consists of determining the colour fastness and ageing characteristics of the products in response to artificial light simulating natural daylight passing through window glass with the unmistakable action of heat. The working sample of the tested product is subjected to artificial light under defined conditions. Colour fastness is assessed by comparing the colour change of the test specimen to a non-exposed specimen, in accordance with ISO 105-A02.

Testing norms

  • PN-EN ISO 4892-2, method B
  • PN-EN ISO 16474-2, method B
  • PN-EN ISO 105-B02

Customer norms

  • Ford, Volvo, VW, Renault, GMW, PSA, BMW, Daimler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Kia, Fiat, as well as others
Komora badawcza Xenon Weather-Ometer Ci 4400
  • ATLAS UV Ci3000+
    ATLAS UV Ci3000+
  • ATLAS UV Ci4000
    ATLAS UV Ci4000
  • Xenon Weather-Ometer Ci 4400
    Xenon Weather-Ometer Ci 4400
  • Xenon arc lamps
    Xenon arc lamps
  • Xenon arc lamps
    Xenon arc lamps
  • Xenon arc lamps
    Xenon arc lamps

Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE chamber for ageing tests with a xenon lamp

The Q-SUN Xe-2 chamber has a xenon lamp mounted inside a rotating drum with sample holders. It is a device for testing ageing, lightfastness and photostability. The chamber can reproduce damage caused by exposure to the total spectrum of sunlight and rain. The chamber can reproduce material damage caused by weathering occurring over months or years in a matter of days or weeks.

For more details, see: Chambers for testing the light and weather resistance of products

Komora starzeniowa z lampą ksenonową model Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE

Q-SUN Xe-3-HBSE chamber for aging tests with xenon lamp

Q-SUN Xe-3 chamber, has 3 xenon lamps assembled above samples placed horizontally. It is a equipment for testing of aging, light fastness, colour fastness and photo stability. The chamber can reproduce damage caused by exposure to the total spectrum of sunlight and rain. The chamber can reproduce material damage caused by weathering over months or years in a matter of days or weeks.

For more details, see: Chambers for testing the light and weather resistance of products

Komora starzeniowa z lampą ksenonową model Q-SUN Xe-3-HBSE

Product UV radiation resistance tests

UVTest ageing chamber

UVTest is an ageing chamber with 8 fluorescent UV lamps (UVA 340, UVB 313, UVA 351). The device is designed to test resistance to photo-oxidation, i.e. to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in its most destructive range – UVA and UVB.

The UVTest chamber allows control of the test parameters: the intensity of the UV radiation and the temperature the samples are exposed to during the test. Programming and monitoring of tests takes place through a built-in microprocessor controller with an LCD touch screen. High repeatability of tests is ensured by the ultraviolet (UV) calibration system.

  • Range of radiation intensity adjustment: from 0.35 to 1.55 W/m2 for UV-A lamps and from 0.35 to 1.23 W/m2 for UV-B lamps,
  • Black plate temperature control range (BPT): 35 – 80° C for the light phase, 35 – 60° C for the condensation/coating phase.
Komora starzeniowa UVTest

Test norms

  • PN-EN ISO 4892-3
  • PN-EN ISO 16474-3
  • SAE J 2020
  • ASTM G154
  • and others (including customer norms)
Komora starzeniowa UVTest
  • ISO 23529 – Rubber – General procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces for physical test methods
  • PN-EN ISO 291 – Plastics – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
  • PN-ISO 1431-1 – Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Resistance to ozone cracking – Part 1: Static and dynamic strain testing
  • ASTM D1149 – Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration – Cracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment
  • PN-ISO 1817 – Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Determination of the effect of liquids
  • PN-ISO 188 – Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Accelerated ageing and heat resistance tests
  • PN-C-81556 – Varnish products – Testing the resistance of varnish layers to the action of variable temperature
  • ASTM B604 – Standard Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics
  • PN-EN 60068-2-1 – Environmental Tests – Part 2-1: Tests – Test A: Cold
  • DIN 75220 – Ageing of automotive components in solar simulation units
  • VDA 230-219 – Ageing of automotive components in solar simulation units
  • ISO 105-A02 – Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
  • PN-EN ISO 4892-2, met. A – ISO 4892-2: Plastics – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
  • PN-EN ISO 4892-2, met. B – ISO 4892-2: Plastics – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
  • PN-EN ISO 16474-2, met. A – ISO 16474-2: Paints and varnishes – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
  • PN-EN ISO 16474-2, met. B – ISO 16474-2: Paints and varnishes – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
  • PN-EN ISO 105-B04 – Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Part B04: Colour fastness to artificial weathering: Xenon arc fading lamp test
  • PN-EN ISO 105-B02 – Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc fading lamp test
  • PN-EN ISO 4892-3 – Plastics – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps
  • PN-EN ISO 16474-3 – Paints and varnishes – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps
  • SAE J 2020 – Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Fluorescent UV and Condensation Apparatus
  • ASTM G154 – Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials

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