ISO/TC 61/SC 6/WG 2 - Exposure to light

This document provides a method for assessing the very early oxidative degradation state of polymers during outdoor weathering and indoor accelerated weathering tests and the influence of various additives can also be evaluated. This method is based on an analytical method in which the degree of progress of the oxidative degradation reaction of a polymer is sensitively detected by measurement of chemically induced ultra-weak photon emission (UPE).

This document describes a test method to determine the activation energy (Ea) of photochemical degradation reactions in accelerated weathering tests according to the Arrhenius model in the most comprehensive manner.

This document specifies methods for exposing specimen to alternating outdoor weathering supported with artificial radiation. This method utilizes, as much as possible, the natural outdoor exposure which are then assisted by the artificial radiation during night time and in cloudy conditions. This document is applicable to polyolefin materials as well as to products and portions of products. The artificial and natural outdoor exposures and their practices applicable to this document are described in ISO 4892-1, ISO 4892-3 and ISO 877-1, ISO 877-2 and ISO 877-3, respectively.

This document describes a method that demonstrates the use of polyethylene reference specimens (PERS) for monitoring laboratory and outdoor conditions in weathering tests used for plastics.

This document specifies methods of determining the spectral response of all kind of plastics materials to ultraviolet and visible radiation by an irradiation test with spectrally dispersed irradiation. NOTE Typical specimens that are evaluated include: films, liquids, plaques, pellets, powders, sheets and discs.

This document specifies a calculation method which allows calculating a parameter which compares the spectral irradiance of a laboratory radiation source for weathering application to a reference solar spectral irradiance.

This document describes three methods for the exposure of plastics in a marine environment. Method A covers exposures where specimens float on the surface, method B covers exposures where specimens are partially immersed method C covers exposures where specimens are completely immersed. Although intended for marine (salt water) exposure, the methodology can be used with outdoor brackish water and fresh-water exposures as well. Direct weathering of plastics on land is described in ISO 877-1, ISO 877-2 and ISO 877-3. Method A is particularly applicable to enhanced-degradability plastics where the environmental degradation under marine floating exposure is expected to be accelerated relative to that of regular plastic materials. This document specifies the general requirements for the apparatus, and procedures for using the test methods described. It lists properties that can be used to evaluate changes in plastics subjected to marine exposure. More specific information about methods for determining the changes in properties of plastics on exposure and reporting these results is given in ISO 4582.

ISO 877-3:2018 specifies a method for exposing plastics to concentrated solar radiation using reflecting concentrators to accelerate the weathering processes. The purpose is to assess property changes produced after specified stages of such exposures. The reflecting concentrators used in these exposures are sometimes referred to as "Fresnel reflectors" because in cross-section the array of mirrors used to concentrate the solar radiation resembles the cross-section of a Fresnel lens. General guidance concerning the scope of the ISO 877 series is given in ISO 877‑1. NOTE Additional information about solar concentrating exposures, including a partial list of standards in which they are specified, is given in the Bibliography.

ISO 4582:2017 specifies methods to determine changes in colour and other appearance properties, and variations in mechanical or other properties, of plastics that have been exposed to glass-filtered solar radiation, to natural weathering or to simulated solar radiation from a laboratory source. The procedure used to analyse data depends on whether the test used to characterize the materials being exposed is destructive or non-destructive. The exposures are conducted under conditions described in specific exposure standards.

ISO 9370:2017 specifies methods for the instrumental measurement of irradiance on a planar surface. This includes not only natural solar radiation but also intensified natural solar radiation and radiation produced by laboratory light sources. For measurement of solar radiation for natural weathering and accelerated natural weathering, instrumental techniques include the continuous measurement of total solar, solar ultraviolet and spectral solar (ultraviolet) irradiance and the accumulation, or integration, of instantaneous data to provide the radiant exposure. For measurement of radiation in artificial accelerated weathering or artificial accelerated irradiation exposures, instrumental techniques include the continuous measurement of total or defined wavelength bands of ultraviolet radiation, visible spectral irradiance and/or ultraviolet spectral irradiance and the accumulation, or integration, of instantaneous data to provide the radiant exposure. ISO 9370:2017 does not specify procedures using blue-wool standards, chemical actinometry or polymeric or other film dosimetry.

ISO 4892-1:2016 provides information and general guidance relevant to the selection and operation of the methods of exposure described in detail in subsequent parts. It also describes general performance requirements for devices used for exposing plastics to laboratory light sources. Information regarding performance requirements is for producers of artificial accelerated weathering or artificial accelerated irradiation devices. NOTE In this part of ISO 4892, the term "light source" refers to radiation sources that emit UV radiation, visible radiation, infrared radiation or any combination of these types of radiation. ISO 4892-1:2016 also provides information on the interpretation of data from artificial accelerated weathering or artificial accelerated irradiation exposures. More specific information about methods for determining the change in the properties of plastics after exposure and reporting these results is given in ISO 4582.

ISO 4892-3:2016 specifies methods for exposing specimens to fluorescent UV radiation, heat and water in apparatus designed to simulate the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments to global solar radiation, or to solar radiation through window glass. The specimens are exposed to fluorescent UV lamps under controlled environmental conditions (temperature, humidity and/or water). Different types of fluorescent UV lamp can be used to meet all the requirements for testing different materials. Specimen preparation and evaluation of the results are covered in other International Standards for specific materials. General guidance is given in ISO 4892‑1. NOTE Fluorescent UV lamp exposures for paints, varnishes and other coatings are described in ISO 11507.

ISO 4892-4:2013 specifies methods for exposing specimens to open-flame carbon-arc lamps in the presence of moisture to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments in daylight or daylight filtered through window glass.

ISO 4892-2:2013 specifies methods for exposing specimens to xenon-arc light in the presence of moisture to reproduce the weathering effects (temperature, humidity and/or wetting) that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments to daylight or to daylight filtered through window glass.

ISO 877-1:2009 provides information and general guidance on the selection and use of the methods of exposure to solar radiation described in detail in subsequent parts of ISO 877. These methods of exposure to solar radiation are applicable to plastics materials of all kinds as well as to products and portions of products. It also specifies methods for determining radiant exposure. It does not include direct weathering using black-box test fixtures, which simulate higher end-use temperatures in some applications.

ISO 877-2:2009 specifies a method for the direct exposure of plastics to solar radiation and a method for the exposure of plastics to glass-filtered solar radiation (exposure behind window glass). The purpose is to assess property changes produced after specified stages of such exposures.

ISO/TR 18486:2016 specifies a calculation method which allows calculating a parameter which compares the spectral irradiance of a laboratory radiation source for weathering application to a reference solar spectral irradiance.

ISO 4892-3:2013 specifies methods for exposing specimens to fluorescent UV radiation, heat and water in apparatus designed to simulate the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments to global solar radiation, or to solar radiation through window glass. The specimens are exposed to fluorescent UV lamps under controlled environmental conditions (temperature, humidity and/or water). Different types of fluorescent UV lamp can be used to meet all the requirements for testing different materials.

ISO 9370:2009 specifies methods for the instrumental measurement of irradiance on a planar surface. This includes not only natural solar radiation but also intensified natural solar radiation and radiation produced by laboratory light sources. For measurement of solar radiation for natural weathering and accelerated natural weathering, instrumental techniques include the continuous measurement of total solar, solar ultraviolet and spectral solar (ultraviolet) irradiance and the accumulation, or integration, of instantaneous data to provide the radiant exposure. For measurement of radiation in artificial accelerated weathering or artificial accelerated irradiation exposures, instrumental techniques include the continuous measurement of total or defined wavelength bands of ultraviolet radiation, visible spectral irradiance and/or ultraviolet spectral irradiance and the accumulation, or integration, of instantaneous data to provide the radiant exposure. The International Standard does not specify procedures using blue-wool standards, chemical actinometry or polymeric or other film dosimetry.

ISO 877-3:2009 specifies a method for exposing plastics to concentrated solar radiation using reflecting concentrators to accelerate the weathering processes. The purpose is to assess property changes produced after specified stages of such exposures.

ISO 4582:2007 describes procedures used to determine changes in colour and other appearance properties, and variations in mechanical or other properties, of plastics that have been exposed to daylight behind glass, to natural weathering or to light from a laboratory source. The procedure used to analyse data depends on whether the test used to characterize the materials being exposed is destructive or non-destructive. The exposures are conducted under conditions described in specific exposure standards.

ISO/TR 19032:2006 describes a method that demonstrates the use of polyethylene reference specimens (PERS) for monitoring laboratory and outdoor conditions in weathering tests used for plastics.

ISO 4892-3:2006 specifies methods for exposing specimens to fluorescent UV radiation and water in apparatus to designed reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments to daylight, or to daylight through window glass. The specimens are exposed to fluorescent UV lamps under controlled environmental conditions (temperature, humidity and/or water). Different types of fluorescent UV lamp may be used to meet all the requirements for testing different materials.

ISO 4892-2:2006 specifies methods for exposing specimens to xenon-arc light in the presence of moisture to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments in daylight or daylight filtered through window glass. The specimens are exposed to filtered xenon-arc light under controlled conditions (temperature, humidity and/or wetting). Various types of xenon-arc light source and various filter combinations may be used to meet different requirements.

ISO 15314:2004 describes three methods for the exposure of plastics in a marine environment. Method A covers exposures where specimens float on the surface, method B covers exposures where specimens are partially immersed and method C covers exposures where specimens are completely immersed. Although intended for marine (salt water) exposure, the methodology might be used with outdoor brackish water and fresh-water exposures as well. Method A is particularly applicable to enhanced-degradability plastics where the environmental degradation under marine floating exposure is expected to be accelerated relative to that of regular plastic materials. The standard specifies the general requirements for the apparatus, and procedures for using the test methods described. It lists properties that may be used to evaluate changes in plastics subjected to marine exposure. More specific information about methods for determining the changes in properties of plastics on exposure and reporting these results is given in ISO 4582, Plastics -- Determination of changes in colour and variations in properties after exposure to daylight under glass, natural weathering or laboratory light sources.

ISO 4892-4:2004 specifies methods for exposing specimens to open-flame carbon-arc lamps in the presence of moisture to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments in daylight or daylight filtered through window glass. The specimens are exposed to filtered open-flame carbon-arc light under controlled environmental conditions (temperature, moisture). Various filters are described.

Specifies methods for exposing specimens to different types of fluorescent UV lamp.

Cancels and replaces the first edition (1976). Specifies methods of exposing plastics to solar radiation, either by direct exposure to natural weathering (Method A), to indirect solar radiation by modification of its spectral distribution with glass to simulate ageing of plastics behind building or automotive window glass (Method B), or to solar radiation intensified by the use of Fresnel mirrors to achieve acceleration of the weathering processes (Method C). Specifies the general requirements for the apparatus and operating procedures for using the test methods described and methods for determining radiation dosage. Applicable to plastics materials of all kinds and to products and portions of products.

Specifies methods for exposing to a xenon-arc light source under controlled environmental conditions. The procedure may include measurements of the irradiance and radiant exposure at the surface of the specimen. It is recommended that a similar material of known behaviour be exposed simultaneously with the experimental material as a reference. A xenon arc, when fitted with suitable filters, produces radiation with a spectral energy distribution similar to that of terrestrial sunlight in the UV and visible regions of the spectrum. General guidance is given in ISO 4892-1.

Specifies methods for exposing to a carbon-arc light source under controlled environmental conditions. The procedure may include measurements of the irradiance and radiant exposure at the surface of the specimen. It is recommended that a similar material of known behaviour be exposed simultaneously with the experimental material as a reference. General guidance is given in ISO 4892-1.