ASTM D4459-99
(Practice)Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Indoor Applications
Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Indoor Applications
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure applicable when Practice G26, Method C, is employed for exposing plastics to a Xenon lamp, in attempting to predict long-term color-fastness of plastics for use in indoor areas. Such exposure may involve illumination from fluorescent, incandescent, or window-filtered sunlight sources, and thermal radiation.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. Note 1-There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D4459–99
Standard Practice for
Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Indoor
Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4459; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D 4674 Test Method for Accelerated Testing for Color
Stability of Plastics Exposed to Indoor Fluorescent Light-
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test condi-
ing and Window-Filtered Daylight
tions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in window
D 5870 Practice for Calculating Property Retention Index
glass-filtered xenon-arc devices in accordance with Practices
of Plastics
G 151 and G 155 for evaluating the stability of plastics
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
intended for use in indoor applications.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
NOTE 1—Previous versions of this practice referenced xenon-arc de-
G26 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
vices described by Practice G26. This practice described very specific
(Xenon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
equipment designs and is being replaced by Practices G 151 and G 155,
of Nonmetallic Materials
which describe performance criteria for all xenon-arc devices. Practice
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial
G 26 will be balloted for withdrawal before December 2000.
Weathering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
G 141 Guide forAddressingVariability in ExposureTesting
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
on Nonmetallic Materials
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
G 147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonme-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tallic Materials for Natural andArtificial Weathering Tests
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
G 151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Ac-
NOTE 2—This practice has no ISO equivalent.
celerated Test Devices That Use Laboratory Light Sources
G 155 Practice for Operating Xenon-Arc Light Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3. Terminology
D 1729 Practice for Visual Evaluation of Color Differences
of Opaque Materials
3.1 The definitions in TerminologyG113 are applicable to
D 2244 Test Method for Calculation of Color Differences
this practice.
from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
4. Significance and Use
D 3980 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Paint and
Related Materials
4.1 This practice is intended to simulate the effects pro-
duced by exposure to solar radiation through glass. This
practice uses exposure in a xenon-arc device equipped with
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlasticsand
window glass filters and operated in accordance with Practices
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.50 on Permanence Properties.
G 151 and G 155.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. Originally
published as D 4459 – 85. Last previous edition D 4459 – 93.
2 NOTE 3—Practice D 4674 describes exposures in a device that uses a
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
combination of fluorescent “cool white” and ultraviolet (UV) lamps to
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
simulate the effects of exposures to indoor fluorescent light and window
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. glass filtered daylight.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4459–99
4.2 Caution—Variation in results may be expected when 6.3 Follow the procedures described in Practice G 147 for
operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of identification and conditioning and handling of specimens of
thispractice.Therefore,allreferencestotheuseofthispractice test, control, and reference materials prior to, during, and after
must be accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with exposure.
Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. 6.4 Do not mask the face of specimen for the purpose of
Refer to Practice G 151 for detailed information on the caveats showing on one panel the effects of various exposure times.
applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this Misleading results may be obtained by this method, since the
practice. masked portion of the specimen is still exposed to temperature
and humidity cycles that in many cases will affect results.
NOTE 4—Additional information on sources of variability and on
6.5 Since the thickness of a specimen may affect markedly
strategies for addressing variability in the design, execution and data
the results, thickness of test and control specimens shall be
analysis of laboratory accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G 141.
within 610 % of the nominal dimensions.
4.3 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to
NOTE 5—This is especially important if changes in mechanical prop-
operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G 155.
erties are being investigated.
Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, tempera-
ture and humidity control, and condition and age of the burner
6.6 Incident energy at the extremes of the specimen expo-
and filters.
sure area in older equipment may be only 70 % of that at the
4.4 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has
center.Iftheirradianceatanypositionwithintheexposurearea
been shown to be good when the stability of materials is
is less than 90 % of the peak irradiance, follow one of the
evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other
procedures outlined in Practice G 155 to ensure either equal
3,4
materials or to a control. Therefore, exposure of a similar
radiant exposure or compensation for differences in radiant
material of known performance (a control) at the same time as
exposure.
the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended
6.7 Retain a supply of unexposed file specimens of all
that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to
materials evaluated.
allow for statistical evaluation of results.
6.7.1 When destructive tests are run, ensure than sufficient
file specimens are retained so that the property of interest can
5. Apparatus
be determined on unexposed file specimens each time exposed
5.1 Use xenon-arc apparatus that conforms to the require-
materials are evaluated.
ments defined in Practices G 151 and G 155.
6.8 Specimens should not be removed from the exposure
5.2 The spectral power distribution of the xenon-arc lamp
apparatus for more than 24 h and then returned for additional
shall conform to the requirements described in Practice G 155
tests, since this does not produce the same results on all
for a xenon-arc lamp with window glass filters.
materials as tests run without this type of interruption. When
5.3 Unless otherwise specified, use a xenon-arc device
specimensareremovedfromtheexposureapparatusfor24hor
equipped with a radiometer capable of monitoring either
more then returned for additional exposure, report the elapsed
narrow-band or broad-band irradiance incident on test speci-
time as noted in accordance with Section 9.
mens.
NOTE 6—Since the stability of the file specimens is also time-
dependent, users are cautioned that over prolonged exposure periods, or
6. Test Specimen
where small differences in the order of acceptable limits are anticipated,
6.1 The size and shape of specimens to be exposed will be
comparisonofexposedspecimenswiththefilespecimenmaynotbevalid.
determined by the specifications of the particular test method
Instrumental measurements are recommended whenever possible.
used to evaluate the effects of the exposure on the specimens;
the test method shall be determined by the parties concerned.
7. Procedure
Where practical, it is recommended that specimens be sized to
7.1 Operate the xenon-arc device in continuous light mode
fit specimen holders and racks supplied with the exposure
without any water spray.
apparatus. Unless supplied with a specific backing as an
7.2 Unless otherwise specified, control the irradiance at one
integral part of the test, specimens shall be mounted so that
of the following levels:
only the minimum specimen area required for support by the
7.2.1 0.3 6 0.02 W/m at 340 nm.
holder shall be covered. This unexposed surface must not be 2
7.2.2 0.8 6 0.05 W/m at 420 nm.
used as part of the test area.
7.2.3 36.5 6 2.5 W/m between 300 and 400 nm.
6.2 Unless otherwise specified, expose at least three repli-
7.2.4 If the exposure device is not equipped with irradiance
catespecimensofeachtestmaterialandofthecontrolmaterial,
control, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to pro-
if used.
duce the specified irradiance levels.
7.3 Unless otherwise specified, control the temperature of
an insulated black panel at 55 6 2°C (131 6 4°F).
Fischer, R., “Results of Round Robin Studies of Light- and Water-Exposure
7.4 Unless otherwise specified, control relative humidity at
Standard Practices,” Accelerated and Outdoor Durability Testing of Organic
Materials, ASTM STP 1202, Warren D. Ketola and Douglas Grossman, eds.,
55 65%.
American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1993.
7.5 It is recommended that a control material be exposed at
Ketola, W., and Fischer, R., “Characterization and Use of Reference Materials
the same time as the test specimens for comparison purposes,
in Accelerated Durability Tests,” VAMAS Technical Report No. 30, available from
NIST, Gaithersburg, MD. if perform
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.