Standard Method for Light Aging Test

Applicable Products:

Polymer materials, including plastics, rubber, textiles, leather, plexiglass, organic coatings, etc.

Test Purpose:

To verify the aging behavior of samples under natural environmental conditions (e.g., sunlight, rain, condensation).

Aging Principle:

Unsaturated bonds in polymer materials absorb light energy, triggering chemical reactions that lead to adverse phenomena such as discoloration, cracking, wrinkling, and blistering. Temperature inhomogeneity caused by light exposure may also result in product cracking or wrinkling.

Spectral Comparison:

Chamber Temperature: Air temperature inside the test chamber.

Chamber Humidity: Relative humidity inside the test chamber.

Irradiation Intensity: Radiant power of light within a specific wavelength range (e.g., @340nm, @420nm, @300-400nm, @300-800nm).

Example: Midday summer sunlight irradiance ≈ 0.51 W/m² @340nm; 1.12 W/m² @420nm.

Black Panel Temperature (BPT): Temperature of the black panel thermometer surface, simulating the sample surface temperature.

Radiant Exposure: Cumulative radiant energy over a period, calculated as Irradiance × Exposure Time.

Test Phases:

Light Exposure Phase: Simulates daylight with illumination.

Dark Phase: Simulates nighttime with illumination off.

Condensation Phase: Simulates nighttime surface condensation (humidity >95% RH, illumination off).

Spray Phase: Simulates rainfall by spraying water onto the sample surface (often combined with light exposure).

UV Aging Test (Ultraviolet Aging)

Test Equipment: UV aging chamber.

Applicable Materials: Polymer materials, commonly used for leather and textiles.

Test Spectrum: Ultraviolet light (280-400 nm).

Test Condition Parameters:

Lamp Selection:

UVA-340: Simulates outdoor natural aging (most widely used).

UVA-351: Simulates sunlight through window glass (for indoor products).

UVB-313: Accelerated UV test (for long-term exposed materials).

Irradiance: 0.35–1.35 W/m² (typically 0.76 W or 0.89 W).

Black Panel Temperature: 50–80°C.

Cycle Simulation: Combination of light (daytime), condensation (nighttime), and spray (rain).

Test Duration: Specified cycles or hours.

Common Standards: GB/T 16422.3. ISO 4892-3. ASTM G154.

Example Condition: UVA-340 lamp, 8 hours light (60°C, 0.76 W) + 4 hours condensation (50°C), totaling 12 cycles.

Xenon-Arc Aging Test

Test Equipment: Xenon-arc aging chamber.

Applicable Products: Automotive materials, plastics, textiles, and all polymer materials.

Test Condition Parameters:

Filter Selection:

Daylight Filter: Simulates natural sunlight (for outdoor products).

Window Glass Filter: Simulates sunlight through glass (for indoor products).

Q/B Filter: Accelerated aging for automotive applications.

Chamber Temperature and Humidity: 38–80°C.

Black Panel Temperature (BPT): 40–110°C (typically 63°C or 89°C).

Cycle Mode: Combination of light (sunny), dark (nighttime), and spray (rainy).

Irradiance: 0.30–0.8 W/m² @340nm (e.g., 0.51 W/m² @340nm).

Common Standards: GB/T 16422.2. ISO 4892-2. ASTM G155.

Example Condition: Irradiance 0.51 W/m² @340nm, chamber temperature 63°C, BPT 89°C; continuous light with 102 min drying + 18 min spray per cycle, totaling 100 cycles.