Accelerated Weathering Testing

Accelerated weathering testing mimics the impacts of normal outdoor exposure circumstances such UV radiation, moisture, humidity, wind, sand, and dust over a long period of time. Paint, coatings, and other goods can degrade due to exposure to environmental conditions. Our accelerated weathering testing facilities carry out accelerated weathering testing in accordance with the required standards in a lab setting to evaluate the longevity of products.

Accelerated Weathering Testing Services

Accelerated weathering testing simulates the long-term effects of common outdoor elements like UV radiation, moisture, humidity, wind, sand, and dust. Materials and products like paints, coatings, automobile components degrade due to continuous exposure to the natural elements. Degradation can be in the form of corrosion, discoloration, chipping, cracking, hazing or other appearance, material deterioration, or performance issues. Environmental test chambers are utilized to accelerate the environmental effects and provide results within weeks or months by simulating a rapid weathering process. Other accelerated weathering testing methods include humidity, sand and dust, fog (salt spray) testing, moisture testing, corrosion testing.

Any material or product exposed to the environment regularly is tested for weathering effects. Accelerated weathering tests provide essential information for production and product specification in most industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, defense, etc. Industry-specific testing standards are available where weathering tests play a vital role in the product life cycle, like paints and coating, automotive interiors, construction materials.

Our testing labs are well equipped to carry out accelerated weathering tests and provide the best results to our clients based in the USA and other parts of the world. We at Infinita Lab perform not only routine tests, but also custom tests designed in our testing labs as per the client’s specific requirements.

Accelerated Exposure Testing

UV exposure testing is the most commonly used methodology to test for light damage or degradation. Carbon arc systems are used to simulate high-level UV exposures, and xenon arc weathering systems are used to simulate the effects of prolonged exposure to UV, visible and infrared radiations and measure the mechanical, optical and electrical properties when exposed to light and heat.

Video 01: Accelerated weathering test

Product Testing Services

• Solar Radiation: Solar radiation mimics the physical and thermal deterioration that sunlight has on components, materials, and finished goods. In order to create stronger, more lasting products under all circumstances, this test examines how a product changes when exposed. It is a crucial part of the DEF STAN 00-035 and MIL-STD-810 test requirements.
• Ultraviolet UV exposure testing: UV Exposure testing simulates exposure to natural sunshine by using fluorescent UV lamp weathering equipment. This test evaluates how ultraviolet light affects a product’s mechanical attributes.
• Carbon arc test: When an electric current is carried between the carbon rods in the weathering system used for carbon arc testing, it produces radiation in the form of UV, VIS, and infrared waves. A product’s resistance to loss of electrical, mechanical, and optical qualities when exposed to light and heat is assessed via carbon arc testing.
• Xenon arc test: Through the use of a weatherometer, xenon arc tests replicate the deterioration of materials from both indoor and outdoor sun exposure. The test is helpful in applications where premium grade finishes for paints and coatings are required that may be vulnerable to high levels of UV damage.
• Corrosion testing
• Sand and dust testing
• Humidity testing
• Thermal Shock testing
• Temperature and humidity testing
• Temperature variation testing
• Salt spray testing (fog)
• Altitude testing
• ASTM, ISO, SAE (automotive) standard testing methods

Accelerated Weathering Testing Industries

• Paints and Coatings
• Plastics and Polymers
• Elastomers
• Construction Materials
• Piping Industry
• Composites
• Automotive Components and Materials
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
• Oil and Gas
• Defense

Accelerated Weathering Testing Laboratories

• VTEC labs
• UL Solutions
• Atlas

Accelerated Weathering Testing More Details

• Accelerated weathering testing methodologies and applications
• Weathering testing equipment and technical resources