Xenon Arc Testing
Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Indoor or Outdoor Applications (Weather-Ometer®) ASTM D2565, ASTM D4459, ASTM G155, ISO 4892
Micom offers Xenon arc testing to simulate outdoor and indoor sun exposure on surface finishes, coatings and polymers. Equipment used to conduct such a test are called Weather-Ometer®️*. ASTM G155 is a practice used to do xenon arc testing. There are many test methods requiring Xenon arc testing.
Below is a partial list of these test methods which we can all test to:
| General | |
| 07324 NRC/IRC/CCMC | Canadian Construction |
| Australia AS/NZS 1891.1 | Industrial fall-arrest systems & devices |
| EN 13361 | Geosynthetic barriers – characteristics required for use in construction of reservoirs |
| Federal Test Standard 141A Method 6151 | Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Non-metallic Materials |
| IEC 68-2-9 | Basic Environmental Testing Procedures-Part 2: Guidance for Solar Radiation Testing |
| ISO 4892-1 | Plastics-Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources-Part 1: General Guidance |
| ISO 4892-2 | Plastics-Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources-Part 2: General Guidance |
| ASTM G151 | General Guidelines for Exposure of Non-metallic Materials |
| ASTM G155 | Xenon-Arc Test Apparatus for Exposure of Non-metallic Materials Assemblies (Solar Radiation) |
| ASTM G26 | Operating Light Exposure With & Without Water for Exposure Non-metallic Mater |
| MIL-STD-810G | Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests (Solar Radiation) |
| MIL-STD 820 F 810F | Environmental Engineering considerations and Laboratory Tests |
| MIL STD 8625F | Anodic Coatings Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys |
| MIL-DTL-32201 | Mirror Assembly Rearview |
| MIL-PRF-22750 | Coating Epoxy VOC High-solids |
| MIL-PRF-ZZZZZ | Performance Specification for Track Shoe Sets |
| NEMA Standards Publication LD 3-2005 | High-Pressure Decorative Laminate |
| GB/T 16259 | Test Method for Accelerated Weathering Building Materials |
| UL1191 | Components for Personal Flotation Devices |
| Automotive | |
| Chrysler LP 463 PB 16 01 | Flex & fold textile testing |
| Chrysler LP 463 PB 17 01 | Flex & fold textile testing |
| Fiat Materials Method 50451 | Accelerated Aging by Atmospheric Agents |
| Ford BO 101-01 | Resistance to Artificial Weathering |
| Ford BO 116-01 | Resistance to Interior Weathering |
| ISUZU ISC F20-0014 | Test Method for Pencil Hardness |
| JASO M346 | Light Exposure Test Method by Xenon-Arc for Automotive Interior Part |
| GME 60292 | Determination of Colour Fastness & Resistance to Artificial Light |
| GMW 3414 | Artificial Weathering of Automotive Interior Trim Material |
| GMW 14162 | Colorfastness to Artificial Weathering |
| GMW 14650 (xenon weathering sections) | Performance Requirements for Exterior Plastic Parts |
| GM 9125P | Procedures for Laboratory Accelerated Exposures of Automotive Materials |
| GM 9327P | Exterior Weatherability of Integrally colored Plastics |
| GM 9538P | Weathering Exposure Tests for Interior Trim |
| Honda HES 6601 D6601 | Rubber Properties – Measurement of Cure and After-Cure |
| Navistar CEMS GT-31 | Accelerated Weathering of Non-metallic Materials |
| Nissan MO 135 Method II | Weathering Exposure of Automotive Parts |
| NALFA section 303 (lightfastness standard) | Laminate Flooring Specifications and Test Methods |
| Peugeot D47 1431 | Méthode d’essais matériaux et pièces d’habitacle |
| PV 1306 | Lightfastness Test for Determination of Tackiness of Polypropylene Plastics |
| PV 3929 | Weather Aging in Dry, Hot Climate |
| PV 3930 | Weathering in Moist, Hot Climate |
| Renault D27 1911 | Xenon Lamps Aging Test Chamber |
| Saab-Scania STD 3159 | UV Resistance, Xenon Lamp, material in the vehicle interior |
| SAE J1960 | Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior |
| SAE J1885 | Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Interior Trim |
| SAE J2412 | Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Interior Trim Components Using a Controlled Irradiance Xenon-Arc Apparatus |
| SAE J2527 | Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Controlled Irradiance Xenon-Arc Apparatus |
| Toyota TSM0501G | Composite Reinforced Polypropylene Molding Materials |
| Toyota TSH3131G | The Quality of the Coating Exterior Parts |
| Toyota TSH1585G | Accelerated Weathering Resistance of Paint Movie |
| Coatings | |
| ISO 11341 | Paints and Varnishes — Artificial Weathering and Exposure to Artificial Radiation — Exposure to Filtered Xenon-Arc Radiation |
| ASTM D3451 | Testing Coating Powders and Powder Coatings |
| ASTM D3794 | Testing Coil Coatings |
| ASTM D6577 | Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings |
| ASTM D6695 | Xenon-Arc Exposures of Paints and Related Coatings |
| GB 1865 | Paints and Varnishes – Artificial Weathering and Exposure to Artificial Radiation-Filtered Xenon Arc Radiation |
| JIS K 5600-7-7 | Testing Methods for Paints – Part 7: Long-Period Performance of Film – Section 7: Accelerated Weathering (Exposure to Filtered Xenon Arc) |
| MPI: #113 | Exterior, Waterborne, Pigmented Elastomeric Coating |
| MS 133: Part F14 | Methods of Test for Paints & Varnishes: Part F14: Artificial Weathering & Exposure to Artificial Radiation – Exposure to Filtered Xenon Arc Radiation (ISO 11341) |
| GB/T 5237.4 | Wrought Aluminum Alloy Extruded Profiles for Architecture – Part 4: Powder Coating Profiles |
| IRAM 1109 – B14:2008 | Paints – Methods for Testing Part B14 – Accelerated Weathering Exposure to Radiation Using a Xenon Arc Lamp |
| Pharmaceutical | |
| ICH Guideline | Stability Testing: Photostability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products |
| Plastics | |
| ISO 4892-2 | Plastics-Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources-Part 2: Xenon-Arc Sources |
| JIS K 7350-2 | Plastics-Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources-Part 2: Xenon-Arc Sources |
| DIN EN 513 | Unplasticized Polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) Profiles for Fabrication of Windows & Doors |
| ASTM D1248 | Polyethylene Plastic Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable |
| ASTM D2565 | Xenon-Arc – Plastics for Outdoor Applications |
| ASTM D4101 | Polypropylene Plastic Injection and Extrusion Materials |
| ASTM D4459 | Xenon-Arc – Plastics for Indoor Applications |
| ASTM D5071 | Xenon-Arc Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics |
| ASTM D6662 | Plastic Lumber Decking Boards |
| UL 1581 | Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables & Flexible Cords |
| GB/T 16422.2 | Plastics – Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources Part 2: Xenon-Arc Sources |
| GB/T 15102 | Surface Decorated Wood-Based Panels with Paper Impregnated Thermosetting Resins |
| Geotextiles | |
| ASTM D4355 | Deterioration of Geotextiles to UV Light |
| Textiles | |
| AATCC TM 16.3 | Color Fastness to Light |
| AATCC TM 169 | Weather Resistance of Textiles: Xenon Lamp Exposure |
| GB/T 8427 | Textiles – Tests for Color Fastness – Color Fastness to Artificial Light: Xenon Arc Fading Lamp Test |
| GB/T 8430 | Textiles – Tests for Color Fastness – Color Fastness to Artificial Weathering: Xenon Arc Fading Lamp Test |
| GB/T 14576 | Textiles – Tests for Color Fastness – Color Fastness to Light of Textiles Wetted with Artificial Perspiration |
| IS: 2454 | Indian Standard- Method for Determination of Colour Fastness of Textile Materials to Artificial Light Xenon Lamp) |
| ISO 105-B02 | Textiles – Tests for Color Fastness – Color Fastness to Artificial Weathering: Xenon Arc Fading Lamp Test |
| ISO 105-B04 | Textiles – Tests for Color Fastness – Color Fastness to Artificial Weathering: Xenon Arc Fading Lamp Test |
| ISO 105-B06 | Color Fastness and Ageing to Artificial Light at High Temperatures: Xenon Arc Fading Lamp Test |
| M & S C9 | Color Fastness to Light |
| M & S C9A | Color Fastness to Wet Light in the Presence of Alkaline or other Chemical Residues |
| CPAI-84 | Specification for Flame Resistant Materials used in Camping Tentage |
| Printing Inks/Artists’ Materials/Paper | |
| ISO 11798 | Information and Documentation – Permanence of writing, printing & copying on paper |
| ISO 12040 | Graphic Technology – Prints and Printing Inks |
| ISO 18909 | Imaging Materials – Processed Photographic Colour Films and Paper Prints |
| ASTM D3424 | Lightfastness of Printed Matter |
| ASTM D4303 | Lightfastness of Artists’ Pigments |
| ASTM D5010 | Testing Printing Inks & Related Materials |
| ASTM D6901 | Standard Specification for Artists’ Colored Pencils |
| ASTM F2366 | Lightfastness of Ink Jet Prints Exposed to Window Filtered Daylight |
| GB/T 22771 | Graphic Technology – Prints and Printing Inks – Assessment of Lightfastness using Filtered Xenon Arc Light |
| Roofing | |
| ASTM D4434 | Poly Vinyl Chloride Sheet Roofing |
| ASTM D4637 | EPDM Sheet Used in Single-Ply Roof Membrane |
| ASTM D4798 | Xenon-Arc – Bituminous Materials |
| ASTM D4811 | Non-Vulcanized Rubber Sheet Used as Roof Flashing |
| ASTM D5019 | Reinforced Non-Vulcanized Polymeric Sheet |
| ASTM D6083 | Liquid Applied Acrylic Coatings Used in Roofing |
| Rubber | |
| ISO 3865 | Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic – Methods of Test for Staining on Contact with Organic Materials |
| ISO 4665 | Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic – Resistance to Weathering |
| GB/T 3511 | Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic – Resistance to Weathering |
| Adhesives | |
| ASTM D904 | Exposure of Adhesive Specimens to Artificial Light |
| ASTM C1442 | Conducting Tests on Sealants Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus |
| ASTM C1501 | Standard Test Method for Color Stability of Building Construction Sealants |
| Packaging | |
| ASTM D6551 | Accelerated Weathering of Pressure-Sensitive Tapes by Xenon Arc |
| Sealants | |
| ASTM C1442 | Conducting Tests on Sealants Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus |
| ASTM C1501 | Color Stability of Sealants |
Post-Test Methods Related to Xenon Arc Testing
As an alternative to xenon arc, one could consider ASTM G154 which uses a different light source. For more information about alternative techniques, you can also review the following links: Accelerated Weathering.
Finally, upon exposure to ASTM G155, different measurements can be made to quantify the aging impact: please see ASTM Testing, Material Testing.
*Weather-Ometer®️ is a registered trademark of Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC
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.
