Accelerated Weathering Services

CI Testing Labs provides accelerated weathering tests that are ASTM, ISO, DIN, and SAE compliant. Accelerated weathering test services simulate severe weather conditions using ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, and humidity. Accelerated weathering tests are often used on outdoor equipment, construction materials, automotive parts, and more.

• Fluorescent UV lamps: UVA 340, UVB 313, UVA 351

• ASTM, ISO, DIN, and SAE compliant

• Real time data

Products designed for outdoor use face unique engineering challenges. Extreme sunlight and excess moisture from rain or snow can degrade product functionality over time. Accelerated weathering tests allow engineers to rapidly reproduce the effects of many years of outdoor exposure.

What is accelerated weather testing?

An accelerated weathering test simulates severe weather conditions and measures product durability over time. Parts and finished products are tested at CI’s accelerated weathering testing lab and monitored through the lab’s weathering chamber or outdoor weathering systems. The accelerated weathering test exposes products or components to severe conditions such as ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, varying humidity levels, and corrosive elements.

Once the tests are performed, engineers will monitor degradation levels including haze, yellowness index, color changes and strength. Customers can receive recorded test results along with experienced technical support from trained engineers to eliminate flaws in future trials.

Accelerated Weather Testing Types

Two main types of accelerated weathering tests are commonly used to detect product failures: accelerated outdoor weathering and laboratory accelerated weathering. Many manufacturers use a combination of laboratory testing and natural outdoor exposure to test their products under a variety of conditions.

Accelerated Outdoor Weathering Test

The accelerated outdoor weathering test system is constructed with solar concentration systems made of motorized mirrors that continuously track and reflect sunlight onto the testing unit board. The testing system is placed outdoors and exposes large-area samples to the natural effects of wind and water.

Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Test

The laboratory accelerated weathering test exposes products to weather conditions in closed indoor boxes using precise control of various exposure factors. This process rapidly speeds up the aging process and can reproduce many years of outdoor exposure in little time.

How laboratory accelerated weathering tests work.

Once materials are sent to the CI testing lab, engineers will place the testing unit on a tray inside an accelerated weathering chamber. The testing unit will be subjected to an accelerated weathering test designed to mimic typical weather conditions for everyday use. The test can be customized to meet different industry standards.

Several UV lamps are used to reproduce the damaging UV rays of sunlight, while various sprays simulate the spray, moisture, and humidity of rain, snow, and dew. Lab engineers will routinely remove specimens during testing to determine durability.

When testing is complete, engineers analyze dozens of potential failure methods, including:

• Fading and color changes

• Yellowing of polymers

• Decreased flame resistance

• Chalking

• Cracking and peeling

• Loss of strength

• Warping and blistering

• Decay

• Loss of functionality