EN 16795:2015

• Abstract:

  This European Standard specifies a method for estimating the temperature increase of a flat polymer surface, due to its solar radiant energy absorption, compared to the ambient temperature.; For that purpose, a specimen and black and white reference plates are exposed to simulated solar radiation under specified conditions (simulated solar radiation, ambient air temperature, convective flow). For opaque specimens, a thermally sensitive electrical element at the backside or a pyrometer is used to measure the surface temperature. For translucent specimens, a pyrometer is used to measure surface temperature.; NOTE Some specific polymeric materials are translucent (transparent) and might have a transmittance window in a wavelength range where the used pyrometer is sensitive (e.g. polyethylene). The surface temperature of these materials cannot be measured with the contact and the contactless method.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Dec-2015
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 249/WG 19 - Light exposure
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 06-Sep-2021
• Completion Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 16795:2016 - Plastics - Method for estimating heat build up of flat surfaces by simulated solar radiation

• Refers: ISO 9370:2009 - Plastics — Instrumental determination of radiant exposure in weathering tests — General guidance and basic test method
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 4628-2:2016 - Paints and varnishes - Evaluation of degradation of coatings - Designation of quantity and size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance - Part 2: Assessment of degree of blistering (ISO 4628-2:2016)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 4892-1:2024 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 1: General guidance and requirements (ISO 4892-1:2024, Corrected version 2026-02)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 16795:2015 - Plastics: Method for estimating heat build up of flat surfaces by simulated solar radiation - is a CEN European Standard that defines a laboratory procedure to estimate the temperature increase of a flat polymer surface caused by solar radiation compared to ambient temperature. The method exposes a specimen together with black-standard (BST) and white-standard (WST) reference plates to simulated solar radiation (xenon‑arc or metal‑halide lamps with filters) under controlled irradiance, ambient air temperature, relative humidity and convective airflow. Surface temperature is measured with a pyrometer or a thermally sensitive electrical element (e.g., RTD/thermocouple) depending on specimen opacity.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Test principle: simulate global solar spectrum and measure surface temperature rise relative to ambient using references (BST/WST).
• Radiation source: xenon‑arc or metal‑halide lamps with filters to remove short‑wavelength UV (<290 nm) and optionally some IR (>800 nm).
• Measurement devices:
  • Pyrometer (contactless) or RTD/thermocouple (contact) mounted on backside; pyrometer must be traceably calibrated and account for material emissivity and observation angle.
  • Radiometer to monitor irradiance (per ISO 9370).
• Apparatus & control: inert test chamber, controlled lamp wattage, defined airflow across specimens, chamber temperature and humidity control consistent with EN ISO 4892‑1.
• Uniformity: irradiance across exposure area should be at least 80% of maximum to limit sample-to-sample variability.
• Limitations: some translucent polymers (e.g., polyethylene) may transmit in the pyrometer’s spectral range; for these materials the contact and contactless surface temperature methods may be invalid.
• Calibration & reporting: instruments must be traceably calibrated (periodic re‑calibration recommended); test report shall record exposure conditions, instrument settings, emissivity assumptions and measured temperature rise.

Applications and Users

Practical applications include:

• Predicting in-service surface temperatures of polymer components (window profiles, building façades, vehicle interiors).
• Material selection and colour/finish evaluation to reduce heat build‑up and thermal degradation.
• R&D and quality control in plastics manufacturing and coatings development.
• Performance assessment for building designers, façade engineers, automotive materials specialists, and independent testing laboratories.

Typical users: testing laboratories, material manufacturers, product designers, architects and regulatory bodies assessing thermal performance and safety of polymeric surfaces under solar exposure.

Related Standards

• EN ISO 4892‑1 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - General guidance.
• ISO 9370 - Instrumental determination of radiant exposure in weathering tests - General guidance.
• EN 16465 (referenced) - describes calibration procedures related to surface temperature measurement.

Keywords: EN 16795:2015, heat build up, simulated solar radiation, plastics testing, surface temperature, pyrometer, xenon‑arc, irradiance uniformity, BST, WST.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Kunststoffe - Verfahren mit simulierter Sonnenstrahlung zur Bewertung der Aufheizung auf ebenen OberflächenPlastiques - Méthode d'estimation de l'échauffement de surfaces planes par rayonnement solaire simuléPlastics - Method for estimating heat build up of flat surfaces by simulated solar radiation83.080.01Polimerni materiali na splošnoPlastics in generalICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16795:2015SIST EN 16795:2016en,fr,de01-februar-2016SIST EN 16795:2016SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16795
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Plastics æ Method for estimating heat build up of flat surfaces by simulated solar radiation Plastiques æ Méthode d 5estimation de l 5échauffement de surfaces planes par rayonnement solaire simulé
Kunststoffe æ Verfahren mit simulierter Sonnenstrahlung zur Bewertung der Aufheizung auf ebenen Oberflächen This European Standard was approved by CEN on
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egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
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