UVC Testing of Materials

How to test if a material withstands the UVC disinfection process?
The effects of UVC radiation on products, such as plastics, coatings, or textiles, have become a growing concern for materials scientists due to the expansion of UVC sterilization since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While many polymers are engineered to be durable under natural outdoor/indoor sunlight, the effect from UVC exposure is largely unknown. UVC test instruments have been developed and introduced to the market. The results of only few studies have been published to date, and current test methods that exist require revisions to be applicable. This online seminar introduces the basics of UVC testing with test methods, examples, and a procedure on how to estimate test durations.

How to test if a material withstands the UVC disinfection process?
The effects of UVC radiation on products, such as plastics, coatings, or textiles, have become a growing concern for materials scientists due to the expansion of UVC sterilization since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While many polymers are engineered to be durable under natural outdoor/indoor sunlight, the effect from UVC exposure is largely unknown. UVC test instruments have been developed and introduced to the market. The results of only few studies have been published to date, and current test methods that exist require revisions to be applicable. This online seminar introduces the basics of UVC testing with test methods, examples, and a procedure on how to estimate test durations.

Xenon-arc Technology and Weathering Applications

Xenon-arc instruments are the most widely used type of instruments in artificial weathering. Xenon-arc lamps with appropriate optical filters deliver a spectrum that is very similar to natural solar radiation in the outdoors or behind window glass. Xenon-arc instruments are used in a wide range of applications, ranging from textiles, plastics, and coatings, to electronic devices, cosmetics, jewelry, and beverages.

In this seminar the function and operation of Xenon-arc instruments is explained as well as the essential parameters are controlled during testing. Examples of common test methods and standards will be given.

Xenon-arc instruments are the most widely used type of instruments in artificial weathering. Xenon-arc lamps with appropriate optical filters deliver a spectrum that is very similar to natural solar radiation in the outdoors or behind window glass. Xenon-arc instruments are used in a wide range of applications, ranging from textiles, plastics, and coatings, to electronic devices, cosmetics, jewelry, and beverages.

In this seminar the function and operation of Xenon-arc instruments is explained as well as the essential parameters are controlled during testing. Examples of common test methods and standards will be given.

Weathering and Light Stability Testing of Electronics

Modern consumer electronic contain a multitude of organic and polymeric components, ranging from seals, housings and covers to active components like liquid crystals and OLEDs. Those components can degrade or alter functionality by the influences of the environment, especially by solar radiation (natural or artificial), heat and moisture. This online seminar addresses these effects and provides information and methods how these issues can be tested during product development.

Modern consumer electronic contain a multitude of organic and polymeric components, ranging from seals, housings and covers to active components like liquid crystals and OLEDs. Those components can degrade or alter functionality by the influences of the environment, especially by solar radiation (natural or artificial), heat and moisture. This online seminar addresses these effects and provides information and methods how these issues can be tested during product development.

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.

History of Weathering

More than 115 years ago, material scientists, test technicians, and product designers have started working together to understand, simulate, and finally accelerate weathering effects on materials and products, both outdoors and in laboratory experiments. Weathering technology is a good example for several disciplines bundling their efforts and insights to drive technical progress.

The long history of natural and artificial weathering is told in three chapters:

1. Evolution of outdoor weathering testing from the first “test fence” to modern Fresnel concentrator systems.
2. The first laboratory lightfastness instruments, the carbon-arc era, and development of fluorescent/UV test devices in 1970.
3. Rise of xenon-arc weathering from 1950ies until today

More than 115 years ago, material scientists, test technicians, and product designers have started working together to understand, simulate, and finally accelerate weathering effects on materials and products, both outdoors and in laboratory experiments. Weathering technology is a good example for several disciplines bundling their efforts and insights to drive technical progress.

The long history of natural and artificial weathering is told in three chapters:

1. Evolution of outdoor weathering testing from the first “test fence” to modern Fresnel concentrator systems.
2. The first laboratory lightfastness instruments, the carbon-arc era, and development of fluorescent/UV test devices in 1970.
3. Rise of xenon-arc weathering from 1950ies until today

Xenon-arc Technology and Weathering Applications

Xenon-arc instruments are the most widely used type of instruments in artificial weathering. Xenon-arc lamps with appropriate optical filters deliver a spectrum that is very similar to natural solar radiation in the outdoors or behind window glass. Xenon-arc instruments are used in a wide range of applications, ranging from textiles, plastics, and coatings, to electronic devices, cosmetics, jewelry, and beverages.

In this seminar the function and operation of Xenon-arc instruments is explained as well as the essential parameters are controlled during testing. Examples of common test methods and standards will be given.

Xenon-arc instruments are the most widely used type of instruments in artificial weathering. Xenon-arc lamps with appropriate optical filters deliver a spectrum that is very similar to natural solar radiation in the outdoors or behind window glass. Xenon-arc instruments are used in a wide range of applications, ranging from textiles, plastics, and coatings, to electronic devices, cosmetics, jewelry, and beverages.

In this seminar the function and operation of Xenon-arc instruments is explained as well as the essential parameters are controlled during testing. Examples of common test methods and standards will be given.

Introduction to Weathering

This online seminar gives an introduction and an overview on weathering and lightfastness testing principles. Weather factors and their effects on organic materials are described. It will be presented how static and accelerated technology and common test methods are used for outdoor testing at benchmark climates. Different light sources and basic technologies of laboratory weathering are discussed. Finally, the concepts of correlation, relevance, and acceleration are briefly explained.

This online seminar gives an introduction and an overview on weathering and lightfastness testing principles. Weather factors and their effects on organic materials are described. It will be presented how static and accelerated technology and common test methods are used for outdoor testing at benchmark climates. Different light sources and basic technologies of laboratory weathering are discussed. Finally, the concepts of correlation, relevance, and acceleration are briefly explained.

Weathering and Light Stability Testing of Electronics

Modern consumer electronic contain a multitude of organic and polymeric components, ranging from seals, housings and covers to active components like liquid crystals and OLEDs. Those components can degrade or alter functionality by the influences of the environment, especially by solar radiation (natural or artificial), heat and moisture. This online seminar addresses these effects and provides information and methods how these issues can be tested during product development.

Modern consumer electronic contain a multitude of organic and polymeric components, ranging from seals, housings and covers to active components like liquid crystals and OLEDs. Those components can degrade or alter functionality by the influences of the environment, especially by solar radiation (natural or artificial), heat and moisture. This online seminar addresses these effects and provides information and methods how these issues can be tested during product development.

Time Scales in Environmental Ageing of Polymers

Under the synergistic impact of weather factors, polymeric materials undergo chemical and physical ageing processes, leading to property changes and ultimately to product failure. Photodegradation, chemical and physical processes, as well as external stresses run on very different time scales.
Some degradation processes can be easily accelerated, others not. This requires a “balanced” acceleration of the individual processes. When attempting to accelerate the natural weather deterioration of a complex material system, use extreme caution when accelerating and study the material properties and end-use conditions in detail. Knowing the relevant aging processes and understanding their time scales and acceleration limits is critical to making the right testing decisions.

Under the synergistic impact of weather factors, polymeric materials undergo chemical and physical ageing processes, leading to property changes and ultimately to product failure. Photodegradation, chemical and physical processes, as well as external stresses run on very different time scales.
Some degradation processes can be easily accelerated, others not. This requires a “balanced” acceleration of the individual processes. When attempting to accelerate the natural weather deterioration of a complex material system, use extreme caution when accelerating and study the material properties and end-use conditions in detail. Knowing the relevant aging processes and understanding their time scales and acceleration limits is critical to making the right testing decisions.

UVC Testing of Materials

How to test if a material withstands the UVC disinfection process?
The effects of UVC radiation on products, such as plastics, coatings, or textiles, have become a growing concern for materials scientists due to the expansion of UVC sterilization since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While many polymers are engineered to be durable under natural outdoor/indoor sunlight, the effect from UVC exposure is largely unknown. UVC test instruments have been developed and introduced to the market. The results of only few studies have been published to date, and current test methods that exist require revisions to be applicable. This online seminar introduces the basics of UVC testing with test methods, examples, and a procedure on how to estimate test durations.

How to test if a material withstands the UVC disinfection process?
The effects of UVC radiation on products, such as plastics, coatings, or textiles, have become a growing concern for materials scientists due to the expansion of UVC sterilization since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While many polymers are engineered to be durable under natural outdoor/indoor sunlight, the effect from UVC exposure is largely unknown. UVC test instruments have been developed and introduced to the market. The results of only few studies have been published to date, and current test methods that exist require revisions to be applicable. This online seminar introduces the basics of UVC testing with test methods, examples, and a procedure on how to estimate test durations.

Assessment of the durability prediction of formulated polymer based materials by (ultra)accelerated photoageing experiments

For 35 years, CNEP has been investigating the ageing and the durability of formulated polymer-based materials. The applied research studies performed at CNEP are based on the fundamental knowledge of the photo-ageing mechanisms and allow predicting the service life of polymer materials for long term periods. Our approach is based on the fact that most losses of functional properties of polymers under natural weathering conditions are due to chemical changes. To be representative and reliable, a laboratory artificial photoageing experiment should therefore produce the same chemical changes as the ones occurring in natural conditions. Acceleration can then be achieved by increasing both temperature and irradiance, with a suitable balance. In this context, representative (ultra)accelerated photoageing experiments can be defined as experiments where the rates of the chemical reactions occurring in natural conditions are increased. In this webinar, our approach as well as examples of durability predictions will be presented.

For 35 years, CNEP has been investigating the ageing and the durability of formulated polymer-based materials. The applied research studies performed at CNEP are based on the fundamental knowledge of the photo-ageing mechanisms and allow predicting the service life of polymer materials for long term periods. Our approach is based on the fact that most losses of functional properties of polymers under natural weathering conditions are due to chemical changes. To be representative and reliable, a laboratory artificial photoageing experiment should therefore produce the same chemical changes as the ones occurring in natural conditions. Acceleration can then be achieved by increasing both temperature and irradiance, with a suitable balance. In this context, representative (ultra)accelerated photoageing experiments can be defined as experiments where the rates of the chemical reactions occurring in natural conditions are increased. In this webinar, our approach as well as examples of durability predictions will be presented.

History of Weathering

More than 115 years ago, material scientists, test technicians, and product designers have started working together to understand, simulate, and finally accelerate weathering effects on materials and products, both outdoors and in laboratory experiments. Weathering technology is a good example for several disciplines bundling their efforts and insights to drive technical progress.

The long history of natural and artificial weathering is told in three chapters:

1. Evolution of outdoor weathering testing from the first “test fence” to modern Fresnel concentrator systems.
2. The first laboratory lightfastness instruments, the carbon-arc era, and development of fluorescent/UV test devices in 1970.
3. Rise of xenon-arc weathering from 1950ies until today

More than 115 years ago, material scientists, test technicians, and product designers have started working together to understand, simulate, and finally accelerate weathering effects on materials and products, both outdoors and in laboratory experiments. Weathering technology is a good example for several disciplines bundling their efforts and insights to drive technical progress.

The long history of natural and artificial weathering is told in three chapters:

1. Evolution of outdoor weathering testing from the first “test fence” to modern Fresnel concentrator systems.
2. The first laboratory lightfastness instruments, the carbon-arc era, and development of fluorescent/UV test devices in 1970.
3. Rise of xenon-arc weathering from 1950ies until today

Assessment of the durability prediction of formulated polymer based materials by (ultra)accelerated photoageing experiments

For 35 years, CNEP has been investigating the ageing and the durability of formulated polymer-based materials. The applied research studies performed at CNEP are based on the fundamental knowledge of the photo-ageing mechanisms and allow predicting the service life of polymer materials for long term periods. Our approach is based on the fact that most losses of functional properties of polymers under natural weathering conditions are due to chemical changes. To be representative and reliable, a laboratory artificial photoageing experiment should therefore produce the same chemical changes as the ones occurring in natural conditions. Acceleration can then be achieved by increasing both temperature and irradiance, with a suitable balance. In this context, representative (ultra)accelerated photoageing experiments can be defined as experiments where the rates of the chemical reactions occurring in natural conditions are increased. In this webinar, our approach as well as examples of durability predictions will be presented.

For 35 years, CNEP has been investigating the ageing and the durability of formulated polymer-based materials. The applied research studies performed at CNEP are based on the fundamental knowledge of the photo-ageing mechanisms and allow predicting the service life of polymer materials for long term periods. Our approach is based on the fact that most losses of functional properties of polymers under natural weathering conditions are due to chemical changes. To be representative and reliable, a laboratory artificial photoageing experiment should therefore produce the same chemical changes as the ones occurring in natural conditions. Acceleration can then be achieved by increasing both temperature and irradiance, with a suitable balance. In this context, representative (ultra)accelerated photoageing experiments can be defined as experiments where the rates of the chemical reactions occurring in natural conditions are increased. In this webinar, our approach as well as examples of durability predictions will be presented.

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.