Comparison of Xenon-arc and Fluorescent-UV Technology and Applications

A common weathering question is “Which method shows better correlation; Fluorescent UV or Xenon-arc weathering”. Very often the answer is simplified to: Xenon-arc should be used if color change is an issue, Fluorescent UV should be used if matrix degradation is an issue. However, the answer is typically much more complex. This online seminar should help you to identify which testing technology is most suitable for your application. “When can Fluorescent UV be an economical testing option? When there is no alternative to Xenon-arc? What can be done for both methods to get the most meaningful results?”

A common weathering question is “Which method shows better correlation; Fluorescent UV or Xenon-arc weathering”. Very often the answer is simplified to: Xenon-arc should be used if color change is an issue, Fluorescent UV should be used if matrix degradation is an issue. However, the answer is typically much more complex. This online seminar should help you to identify which testing technology is most suitable for your application. “When can Fluorescent UV be an economical testing option? When there is no alternative to Xenon-arc? What can be done for both methods to get the most meaningful results?”

Temperature Effects in Artificial and Natural Weathering

The surface temperature of a material exposed to natural sunlight or to artificial Xenon-arc radiation is critical for its degradation behavior. In this webinar we present how surface temperatures can be measured in weathering setups and which test parameters will influence the surface temperature. We will show models and examples how the surface temperature influences the degradation process.

The surface temperature of a material exposed to natural sunlight or to artificial Xenon-arc radiation is critical for its degradation behavior. In this webinar we present how surface temperatures can be measured in weathering setups and which test parameters will influence the surface temperature. We will show models and examples how the surface temperature influences the degradation process.

Test Method Development

Solar radiation, heat, and water are acting synergistically on materials and components, causing ageing processes and ultimately product failure. Accelerated weathering instruments simulate and control these primary weather factors.

This seminar explains how to develop a realistic, precise, and correlating accelerated weathering test method. The starting point is always the end-use environment, from which worst case conditions are derived, which are then translated into test parameters. ASTM D7869 is a recent example of such test method development.

Often, multiple laboratory and outdoor weathering tests are combined into a “test program” that includes materials, components, and the final product. Examples from the automotive and PV industries will be discussed.

Solar radiation, heat, and water are acting synergistically on materials and components, causing ageing processes and ultimately product failure. Accelerated weathering instruments simulate and control these primary weather factors.

This seminar explains how to develop a realistic, precise, and correlating accelerated weathering test method. The starting point is always the end-use environment, from which worst case conditions are derived, which are then translated into test parameters. ASTM D7869 is a recent example of such test method development.

Often, multiple laboratory and outdoor weathering tests are combined into a “test program” that includes materials, components, and the final product. Examples from the automotive and PV industries will be discussed.

Temperature Effects in Artificial and Natural Weathering

The surface temperature of a material exposed to natural sunlight or to artificial Xenon-arc radiation is critical for its degradation behavior. In this webinar we present how surface temperatures can be measured in weathering setups and which test parameters will influence the surface temperature. We will show models and examples how the surface temperature influences the degradation process.

The surface temperature of a material exposed to natural sunlight or to artificial Xenon-arc radiation is critical for its degradation behavior. In this webinar we present how surface temperatures can be measured in weathering setups and which test parameters will influence the surface temperature. We will show models and examples how the surface temperature influences the degradation process.

Accelerated Outdoor Weathering: EMMAQUA

Accelerated outdoor weathering with linear Fresnel-reflecting concentrators that follow the path of the sun and concentrate solar radiation onto the test specimen is well established (see e.g. ASTM G90). The use of natural solar radiation often results in degradation processes that are very similar to those observed in static outdoor weathering. Rain and dew can be simulated by spraying the specimen with deionized water.

Since traditional mirrors concentrate the entire solar spectrum, substrates with poor thermal conductivity, such as plastics or composites, are usually not suitable, as they can easily overheat and be thermally decomposed. Coatings on substrates with good thermal conductivity, such as metals, can, however, be effectively cooled from the rear with air and are therefore usually very suitable.

A more recent development in accelerated outdoor weathering is the use of so-called “cool mirrors” (CM), which mainly reflect UV and short-wave visible, but not infrared radiation. This results in much lower specimen temperatures compared to traditional mirrors. This enables temperature-sensitive materials to be tested.

Accelerated outdoor weathering with linear Fresnel-reflecting concentrators that follow the path of the sun and concentrate solar radiation onto the test specimen is well established (see e.g. ASTM G90). The use of natural solar radiation often results in degradation processes that are very similar to those observed in static outdoor weathering. Rain and dew can be simulated by spraying the specimen with deionized water.

Since traditional mirrors concentrate the entire solar spectrum, substrates with poor thermal conductivity, such as plastics or composites, are usually not suitable, as they can easily overheat and be thermally decomposed. Coatings on substrates with good thermal conductivity, such as metals, can, however, be effectively cooled from the rear with air and are therefore usually very suitable.

A more recent development in accelerated outdoor weathering is the use of so-called “cool mirrors” (CM), which mainly reflect UV and short-wave visible, but not infrared radiation. This results in much lower specimen temperatures compared to traditional mirrors. This enables temperature-sensitive materials to be tested.

Part 2: Natural and Outdoor Weathering

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

Weathering Reference Materials

Standard reference or control materials are recommended for the validation of accelerated test methods and for control of the instrument performance. Here we show how common reference materials (e.g. ISO or AATCC blue wool scale, SAE Polystyrene, PERS and others) are used effectively to increase reproducibility and repeatability in weathering testing.

Standard reference or control materials are recommended for the validation of accelerated test methods and for control of the instrument performance. Here we show how common reference materials (e.g. ISO or AATCC blue wool scale, SAE Polystyrene, PERS and others) are used effectively to increase reproducibility and repeatability in weathering testing.

Part 3: Laboratory Weathering Fundamentals

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

Part 4: Laboratory Weathering Light Sources and Correlation with Nature

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

Part 5: Increasing Confidence in Correlation Through Improvements in Xenon Filtering

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

Part 6: Acceleration – Assessments and Considerations in Weathering Testing

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

Part 7: Assessing Correlation Through Statistical Analysis

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.

This seven-part successive series covers the fundamentals of natural and accelerated weathering, basics of photochemical degradation, and methodologies for understanding and improving correlation and acceleration. Participants will learn through proven theoretical concepts and practical research examples from industries that take a leading-edge approach to assessing service life prediction of materials.