ASTM G7/G7M-11
(Practice)Standard Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure Testing of Nonmetallic Materials
Standard Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure Testing of Nonmetallic Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The relative durability of materials in natural exposures can be very different depending on the location of the exposure because of differences in ultraviolet (UV) radiation, time of wetness, temperature, pollutants, and other factors. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that results from one exposure in a single location will be useful for determining relative durability in a different location. Exposures in several locations with different climates which represent a broad range of anticipated service conditions are recommended.
Because of year-to-year climatological variations, results from a single exposure test cannot be used to predict the absolute rate at which a material degrades. Several years of repeat exposures are needed to get an “average” test result for a given location.
Solar ultraviolet radiation varies considerably as a function of time of year. This can cause large differences in the apparent rate of degradation in many polymers. Comparing results for materials exposed for short periods (less than one year) is not recommended unless materials are exposed at the same time in the same location.
Defining exposure periods in terms of total solar or solar-ultraviolet radiant energy can reduce variability in results from separate exposures. Solar ultraviolet measurements are typically made using instruments which record broadband UV (for example, 295 to 385 nm) or narrow band UV, as described in 7.2.4 and 7.2.5. An inherent limitation in solar-radiation measurements is that they do not reflect the effects of temperature and moisture, which may also influence the rate or type of degradation.
The design of the exposure rack, the location of the specimen on the exposure rack, and the type or color of adjacent specimens can affect specimen temperature and time of wetness. In order to minimize variability caused by these factors, it is recommended that test specimens, control specimens, and any applicable weathering reference material be placed on a sing...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures to be followed for direct exposure of nonmetallic materials to the environment. When originators of a weathering test have the actual exposure conducted by a separate agency, the specific conditions for the exposure of test and control specimens must be clearly defined and mutually agreed upon between all parties.
1.2 For exposures behind glass, refer to Practice G24.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This practice is technically equivalent to the parts of ISO 877 that describe direct exposures of specimens to the environment.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: G7/G7M − 11
StandardPractice for
Atmospheric Environmental Exposure Testing of
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Nonmetallic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G7/G7M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* E941 Test Method for Calibration of Reference Pyranom-
etersWithAxisTiltedbytheShadingMethod(Withdrawn
1.1 Thispracticecoversprocedurestobefollowedfordirect
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2005)
exposure of nonmetallic materials to the environment. When
G24 Practice for Conducting Exposures to Daylight Filtered
originators of a weathering test have the actual exposure
Through Glass
conducted by a separate agency, the specific conditions for the
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural andArtificial Weath-
exposure of test and control specimens must be clearly defined
ering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
and mutually agreed upon between all parties.
G130 Test Method for Calibration of Narrow- and Broad-
1.2 For exposures behind glass, refer to Practice G24.
Band Ultraviolet Radiometers Using a Spectroradiometer
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 2.2 ISO Standards:
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
ISO 877 Plastics—Methods of Exposure to Direct Weath-
information only. ering;toWeatheringUsingGlass-FilteredDaylight,andto
Intensified Weathering by Daylight Using Fresnel Mir-
1.4 This practice is technically equivalent to the parts of
4
rors
ISO 877 that describe direct exposures of specimens to the
ISO 9370 Plastics—Instrumental Determination of Radiant
environment.
Exposure in Weathering Tests—General Guidance and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4
Basic Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.3 ASTM Adjuncts:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
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A Test Rack
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The definitions given in Terminology E41
2. Referenced Documents
and Terminology G113 are applicable to this practice.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
E41 Terminology Relating To Conditioning
4. Significance and Use
E824 Test Method for Transfer of Calibration From Refer-
4.1 The relative durability of materials in natural exposures
ence to Field Radiometers
can be very different depending on the location of the exposure
E913 Method for Calibration of Reference Pyranometers
because of differences in ultraviolet (UV) radiation, time of
With Axis Vertical by the Shading Method (Withdrawn
wetness, temperature, pollutants, and other factors. Therefore,
3
2005)
it cannot be assumed that results from one exposure in a single
location will be useful for determining relative durability in a
different location. Exposures in several locations with different
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This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee G03 on Weathering
climates which represent a broad range of anticipated service
and Durabilityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G03.02 on Natural
conditions are recommended.
and Environmental Exposure Tests.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
4.2 Because of year-to-year climatological variations, re-
in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as G7 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/G0007
sults from a single exposure test cannot be used to predict the
_G0007M-11.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
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The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Detailed drawings for an acceptable test rack may be obtained from ASTM
www.astm.org. International. Request ADJG0007.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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G7/G7M − 11
absolute rate at which a material degrades. Several years of G113, and be of similar composition and construction com-
repeat exposures are needed to get an “average” test result for pared to test specimens. It is preferable to use two control
a given location. materials, one with relatively good durability a
...
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