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.