ASTM D4587
Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
Micom offers ASTM D4587 testing as part of its paint testing and polymer testing services. This standard describes the selection of the test conditions required for an accelerated aging through UV testing and it also covers the preparation of the specimen and the evaluation of the results. Consequently, this method allows to investigate the effects of humidity, heat and sunlight on the physical and optical attributes of the sample. Lastly, this practice relies on the use of UV fluorescent lamps and it is thus based on the ASTM G154 and ISO 4892-3 standards.
Fluorescent UV-Condensation exposures of paint and related coatings—use and factors to consider:
The purpose of this test protocol is to determine the repercussions of sunlight, moisture and heat on the specimen and to assess its ability to retain its attributes. In order to characterize this capacity, it is necessary to induce property changes in the sample on an accelerated basis through UV testing. It is by choosing the appropriate operating conditions of the apparatus that it is possible to study the evolution of the characteristics of the coating on an accelerated pace and the collected data can be used to project the performance of the sample through the use of an acceleration factor. Moreover, it is necessary to periodically evaluate the test material in order to follow the trend of changes in the attributes over time. However, this standard is not suitable to characterize the decaying induced by localized weather phenomena such as: atmospheric pollution, biological attack, and salt water exposure.
The main factors that are to be considered when running this test are: the time of exposure and the temperature.
Typical Experimental parameters for ASTM D4587 testing:
The number of samples required is of at least three and the typical test conditions are listed in table 1. Each test cycle is defined in table 1 of the ASTM D4587 standard.
Table I: Typical test conditions for ASTM D4587
Parameters Specifications
Conditioning conditions 23 ± 2 °C (73 ± 3 °F)
50 ± 5% relative humidity
Conditioning period 24h (Baked and radiation-cured coatings)
7 days (All other coatings)
Exposure period Has to be defined
Test cycles Cycle 1 (Automotive coatings)
Cycle 2 (Industrial maintenance coatings)
Cycle 3 (Exterior wood coatings)
Cycle 4 (General metal coatings)
Other test methods related to ASTM D4587:
For additional related test methods, please see ASTM D5894
If you have any questions about the ASTM D4587 test, we invite you to contact our material testing lab today. It will be our pleasure to answer your questions and help you with your custom material 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.
