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Jim Botkin
BotkinChemie
http://www.botkinchemie.com
+ 1 (732) 309-3476
Introduction
All plastics are susceptible to degradation upon long-term outdoor exposure. This phenomenon is caused by
chemical and physical changes that occur in the polymer as a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in
sunlight. Compared to visible light, UV radiation is characterized by shorter wavelengths and higher energy, and thus
is much more damaging to plastics and other organic materials. Fluorescent lamps used for indoor lighting also emit
UV light, but at a much lower intensity than normal sunlight.
Characteristics of Sunlight
Sunlight received on earth comprises radiation of wavelengths ranging from about 290 nm to 2800 nm and beyond).
The visible and infrared components of sunlight (wavelengths > 400 nm) are relatively low in energy and are non-
damaging to most polymers. UV radiation (wavelengths less than 400 nm) is higher in energy and produces
degradation in plastics.
UV radiation is subdivided into three diferent regions of wavelengths. UV-A and UV-B radiation are responsible for
the degradation of plastics exposed outdoors, while the short wavelength (< 280 nm) UV-C radiation is screened by
the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
Relative weatherability
of selected plastics
Less weatherable More weatherable
Example of a xenon-arc
weather-o-meter
Special Considerations for Automotive Applications
The automotive industry has developed its own specialized test methods for accelerated weathering. The SAE J2412
protocol is used for automotive interior trim components and the SAE J2527 protocol for automotive exterior
materials. These protocols are also described in ASTM G155 (cycles 8 and 7, respectively). Compared to the
standard ASTM or ISO test methods, the automotive protocols feature higher UV irradiance. These methods also
utilize extended UV flters that transmit more short wavelength radiation than the daylight flter employed in the ASTM
and ISO methods. These features provide further acceleration of the test but may also produce aging processes that
do not occur during natural weathering.
The criterion for meeting OEM weatherability requirements for plastic materials typically involves a specifcation for
color change (for example DE) after a given amount of exposure (for example DE < 3 after 2500 kJ/m2 exposure
measured at 340 nm).
Jim Botkin
BotkinChemie
http://www.botkinchemie.com
jim@botkinchemie.com
+1 (732) 309-3476
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