What is a UV aging test?

UV aging test primarily simulates the adverse effects of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation on products. It also replicates the damage caused by rain and dew. During the test, materials are exposed to controlled cycles of sunlight and moisture, with elevated temperatures, to simulate accelerated aging. Fluorescent UV lamps are used to mimic sunlight, while condensation or spray methods simulate the effects of moisture. UV aging tests are essential because each year, billions of dollars in economic losses are attributed to material degradation caused by light and moisture. UV aging chambers can reproduce the damage caused by sunlight, rain, and dew. These chambers can simulate months or even years of outdoor aging effects in just a few days or weeks.

The UV aging test involves exposing materials to alternating cycles of UV light and moisture at elevated temperatures. Fluorescent UV lamps simulate sunlight, and condensation or spray methods are used to mimic dew and rain. The types of material degradation observed include discoloration, loss of gloss, chalking, cracking, crazing, hazing, blistering, embrittlement, strength reduction, and oxidation. Generally, UV lamps can be categorized into two types: UVA and UVB. The UVA-340 lamps equipped in UV aging chambers effectively simulate the short-wave UV radiation in sunlight, covering the wavelength range from 365nm to the solar cutoff point at 295nm. In contrast, UVB-313 lamps emit shorter-wave UV radiation that is more intense than natural sunlight, thereby accelerating material aging to a greater extent. However, these lamps may cause unrealistic damage to certain materials. UVB-313 lamps are primarily used for quality control, research and development, or testing highly durable materials.

Applicable Product Sectors:
Rubber, plastics and their products, automotive materials, coatings, paints, packaging materials, construction materials, textiles, roofing materials, etc.

Commonly Used Test Standards:

• General Standards:
  • ISO 4892-1: Plastics - Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources - Part 1: General Guidance.
  • ASTM G151: Standard Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources.
  • ASTM G154: Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials.
• Rubber Standards:
  • GB/T 16585: Test Method for Artificial Weathering of Vulcanized Rubber (Fluorescent UV Lamp).
• Plastics Standards:
  • ISO 4892-3: Plastics - Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources - Part 3: Fluorescent UV Lamps.
  • GB/T 16422.3: Plastics - Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources - Part 3: Fluorescent UV Lamps.
  • GB/T 22040: Requirements and Test Methods for Weather Resistance of Plastic Products Used in Highway Facilities.
  • GB/T 29365: Test Method for Artificial Weathering of Wood-Plastic Composites.
  • ASTM D4329: Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV Exposure of Plastics.
  • ASTM D4674: Standard Practice for Accelerated Testing for Color Stability of Plastics Exposed to Indoor Fluorescent Lighting and to Daylight Through Window Glass.
  • ASTM D1248: Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable.
  • ASTM D5208: Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics.
• Coatings Standards:
  • ISO 11507: Paints and Varnishes - Exposure of Coatings to Artificial Weathering - Exposure to Fluorescent UV Lamps and Water.
  • ISO 20340: Paints and Varnishes - Protective Paint Systems for Offshore Structures and Related Structures - Performance Requirements.
  • ASTM D3794: Standard Test Method for Coil Coatings.
  • ASTM D4587: Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paints and Related Coatings.
• Textile Standards:
  • GB/T 31899: Textiles - Weather Resistance Test - Exposure to Ultraviolet Light.
  • GB/T 18830: Textiles - Evaluation for Ultraviolet (UV) Protection.
  • GB/T 23147: Sun Umbrellas.