QUV Testing

Accelerated Weathering Testing

QUV Testing Accelerated Weathering | Test Standards |Micom LaboratoriesQUV testing is used to simulate outdoor and indoor sun exposure on surface finishes and coatings and polymers.  ASTM G154 is a practice used to do QUV testing.  However, there are many test methods requiring QUV testing.  Below is a partial list of the test methods we can test to.

Test Methods Used for QUV Testing

Adhesives & Sealants

  • ASTM C1184 – Specification for Structural Silicone Sealants
  • ASTM C1257 – Standard Test Method for Accelerated Weathering of Solvent-Release-Type Sealants
  • ASTM C1442 – Standard Practice for Conducting Tests on Sealants Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus
  • ASTM C1501 – Standard Test Method for Color Stability of Building Construction Sealants as Determined by Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures
  • ASTM C1519 – Standard Test Method for Evaluating Durability of Building Construction Sealants by Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures
  • ASTM C732 – Standard Test Method for Aging Effects of Artificial Weathering on Latex Sealants
  • ASTM C734 – Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Flexibility of Latex Sealants After Artificial Weathering
  • ASTM C793 – Standard Test Method for Effects of Laboratory Accelerated Weathering on Elastomeric Joint Sealants
  • ASTM D904 – Standard Practice for Exposure of Adhesive Specimens to Artificial Light
  • ASTM D5215 – Standard Test Method for Instrumental Evaluation of Staining of Vinyl Flooring by Adhesives

Coatings

  • AAMA 624 – Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for High Performance Organic Coatings on Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Profiles
  • AATCC TM186 – Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture Exposure
  • ASTM D3451 – Standard Guide for Testing Coating Powders and Powder Coatings
  • ASTM D4587 – Std. Practice for Light/Water Exposure of Paint
  • ASTM D5894 – QUV combined with cyclic corrosion
  • ASTM D6577 – Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings
  • EN 13523-10 (DIN) – Coil Coated Metals – Test Methods Part 10: Resistance to Fluorescent UV Radiation and Water Condensation
  • GB/T 23983 – Test method for yellowing resistance of wood coatings
  • GB/T 23987 – Paints and varnishes – Exposure of coatings to artificial weathering – Exposure to fluorescent UV lamps and water
  • GM 4367M – Topcoat Materials – Exterior
  • GM 9125P – Laboratory Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Material
  • ISO 11507 – Exposure of Coatings to Artificial Weathering-Exposure to Fluorescent UV and water
  • ISO 20340 – Performance Requirements for Protective Paint Systems for Offshore and Related Structures
  • NISSAN M0007 – Fluorescent UV/Condensation Test
  • prEN 927-6– Pt. 6: Exposure of Wood Coatings to Artificial Weathering Using Fluorescent UV and Water
  • US Government – FED-STD-141B

General

  • ASTM G151 – Standard Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
  • ASTM G154 testing – Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
  • British Standard BS 2782: Part 5, Method 540B (Methods of Exposure to Lab Light Sources)
  • Colts Standard Test – UV Dye Resistance to Fade – QUV
  • GB/T 14522 – Artificial Weathering Test Method for Plastics, Coatings, and Rubber Materials used for Machinery Industrial Products – Fluorescent UV Lamps
  • GB/T 16422.3 – General – Plastics – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps
  • GB/T 30669 – General – Textiles – Tests colour fastness – Colour fastness to light yellowing
  • GB/T 31899 – General – Textile – Tests for weather resistance – UV light exposure
  • ISO 4892-1 (EN) (DIN) General Plastics – Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources – Part 1: General guidance
  • SAE J2020 – Accelerated Exp. of Automotive Exterior Matls Using a Fluorescent UV/Condensation Apparatus

Photovoltaic

  • ASTM E3006 – Standard Practice for Ultraviolet Conditioning of Photovoltaic Modules or Mini-Modules Using a Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus
  • GB/T 19394 – UV test photovoltaic (PV) modules
  • IEC 61215 – Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules – Design Qualification and Type Approval
  • IEC 61345 – UV Test for Photovoltaic (PV) Modules

Plastics & Elastomers

  • ASTM D1148 – Standard Test Method for Rubber Deterioration-Discoloration from Ultraviolet (UV) and Heat Exposure of Light-Colored Surfaces
  • ASTM D1248, Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
  • ASTM D4101 – Standard Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials
  • ASTM D4329, Standard Practice for Light/Water Exposure of Plastics
  • ASTM D4674, Test Method for Accelerated Testing for Color Stability of Plastics Exposed to Indoor Fluorescent Lighting and Window-Filtered Daylight
  • ASTM D5208, Standard Practice for Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics
  • ASTM D6662, Standard Specification for Plastic Lumber Decking Boards
  • ASTM D750 – Standard Test Method for Rubber Deterioration Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus
  • ASTM D882 – Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
  • ASTM D925 – Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Staining of Surfaces (Contact, Migration, and Diffusion)
  • ASTM F1164 – Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Transparent Plastics Exposed to Accelerated Weathering Combined with Biaxial Stress
  • GB/T 16422.1 – Plastics-Methods of the exposure to laboratory light sources Part 1: general guidance
  • GB/T 31881 – Accelerated weathering test methods of automotive nonmetal components and materials using a fluorescent UV and condensation apparatus
  • ISO 29664 – Plastics – Artificial weathering including acidic deposition
  • ISO 4892, Plastics – Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources-Part 3: Fluorescent UV Lamps
  • ISO 4892-2, Plastics –  Test conditions duplicating weathering effects on plastic components.
  • ISO 4892-3, Plastics – Test conditions replicating weathering effects on plastic materials through the use of moisture and xenon arc light

Printing Inks

  • ASTM D3424 – Standard Practice for Evaluating the Relative Lightfastness and Weatherability of Printed Matter
  • ASTM F1945 – Lightfastness of Ink Jet Prints Exposed to Indoor Fluorescent Lighting

Roofing

  • CGSB-37.54-M  – Canadian General Standards Board Spec. for PVC Roofing & Waterproofing Membrane
  • ASTM D1670 – Standard Test Method for Failure End Point in Accelerated and Outdoor Weathering of Bituminous Materials
  • ASTM D3105 – List of Test Methods for Elastomeric and Plastomeric Roofing & Waterproofing
  • ASTM D4434 – Std. Specification for PVC Sheet Roofing
  • ASTM D4799 – Test Method for Accelerated Weathering of Bituminous Roofing Materials
  • ASTM D4811 – Std. Specification for Nonvulcanized Rubber Sheet Used as Roof Flashing
  • ASTM D5019 – Std. Specification for Reinforced Non-Vulcanized Polymeric Sheet Used in Roofing Membrane

Other Related Test Methods

As an alternative to QUV testing, one should consider ASTM G155 which uses a different light source.  For more information about alternative techniques, you can also review the following links: Accelerated WeatheringASTM Testing, Coating Testing and Polymer Testing.

Finally, upon exposure to ASTM G154, different measurements can be made to quantify the aging impact.

If you have any questions about QUV Testing, we invite you to contact us today. It will be our pleasure to answer your questions and help you with your custom testing requirements.

Practical UV Testing Guide

Sunlight exposure can have harmful impacts on carbon-based
materials such as coatings, polymers, textiles, and many others.
Learn more about our in-laboratory UV testing process in this guide.

Get Free Guide

UV eBook Snippet

Practical UV Testing Guide

Sunlight exposure can have harmful impacts on carbon-based materials such as coatings, polymers, textiles, and many others.
Learn more about our in-laboratory UV testing process in this guide.

Get Free Guide