Xenon Arc Testing
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.
