Accelerated Weathering Testing
Our Weathering Testing Lab
Determining how a material or product will react to normal or extreme weathering is important. It gives your team the data needed to modify your design or continue with the existing build.
Our accelerated weathering test methods at VTEC Laboratories give you detailed information on your products' response to nature’s forces.
With actionable analysis from our weatherability test, your team will have the necessary data to develop performance-driven products. Contact VTEC Laboratories today to learn more.
What Is Accelerated Weathering Testing?
Weathering is a material or product’s adverse response to the Earth’s climate conditions. Solar rays, excessive humidity and extreme temperatures often cause early and complete product failures.
That’s especially prevalent where products weren’t designed with materials suitable for the weathering conditions they experience. It’s also a result of manufacturers' failure to test their products under real or simulated conditions.
There’s no substitute for placing products in a real climatic environment and observing how they perform. However, testing in an open weather environment is a time-consuming process.
Realistic tests taking months or years aren’t cost-effective. It’s far more efficient to accelerate the process by testing in a laboratory-controlled, simulated weather environment.
The best weather testing technology on today’s market is called accelerated weathering testing.
This type of testing, which is normally done in a weathering testing lab, lets you understand how your products respond to certain weather conditions. That can be regular weathering under normal conditions or seasonal fluctuations, including heavy storms and natural disasters.
By accelerating your weathering testing and regulating it in simulated conditions, you essentially get the same climate-response data but in a much quicker time. You’ll have insight into how your products react to light, rain, heat, cold and other factors over specific periods.
Which Accelerated Weathering Test Do You Need?
The right accelerated weathering testing method depends on what you need to learn, how closely you need to simulate service conditions and whether you’re screening materials or validating performance for a specification.
Fluorescent UV Testing (ASTM G154)
Fluorescent UV weathering testing is often a strong fit for accelerated UV degradation studies, coatings, polymers, painted materials, and early-stage screening of material performance. You’ll want to use this method if your goal is to focus on UV exposure and moisture cycles in a controlled lab setting. For a closer method comparison, see our ASTM G154 vs ASTM G155 guide.
Xenon Arc Weathering Testing (ASTM G155)
ASTM G155 is typically the better choice when a full-spectrum solar simulation is what you need. It is often used for outdoor aging simulation, outdoor durability validation, certification testing, specification testing and product evaluations where broader light exposure is important. If xenon arc exposure is the right fit for your project, learn more about our ASTM G155 weathering testing services.
When Custom Accelerated Weathering Testing Programs Are Needed
Some projects need more than a standard cycle. Therefore, custom exposure programs may be the right path when you need:
- Combined UV and humidity testing
- Environmental exposure testing for research programs
- Material durability testing that’s tailored to a product’s end-use environment
- A more application-specific setup that standard methods do not fully cover
VTEC Laboratories can also support additional weather-related exposures such as salt spray, thermal shock, and other specialized conditions when standard weathering methods alone do not fully answer the question.
Not sure which path fits your product? Contact VTEC Laboratories for accelerated weathering testing support. Tell us what material, coating or finished product you need to evaluate, and our team can help you identify the most appropriate test program for your goals.
How Does This Type of Test Help You?
Nature’s primary weather forces are sunlight, ozone, moisture and temperature. Secondary forces include biological phenomena, sand, salt and air pollutants like chemicals and acid rain.
Combined, these weather factors take a toll on outdoor pieces. Accelerated weathering testing before your manufacturing process is excellent insurance against premature and unexpected product failure.
This is why it is important to determine how products and their materials respond to normal and extreme weathering. Testing is a vital part of making sure your product’s materials are suitable for the environment they’re destined for.
Weathering testing provides your team with essential data that influences how you move forward. That data allows you to modify your design or continue with the existing build.
When the military deploys its systems in extreme weather conditions, they first test their durability at VTEC Laboratories’ weathering testing lab. Valuable data from accelerated weathering testing lets your company revise product design if it’s not withstanding certain weather conditions.
That might be by increasing its structural strength or decreasing its water penetration. Whether you build for residential applications or commercial purposes, weathering testing ensures your products are properly engineered to withstand every element they’re likely to find.
By controlling parameters and simulating natural weather conditions in our test chambers, VTEC Laboratories significantly accelerates product testing time.
Instead of taking months or years to evaluate performance and provide meaningful data, our accelerated weathering testing provides data in as little as a two-week turnaround. Some of these testing conditions simulated in the test lab include:
- Solar exposure testing natural, UV and infrared light
- Water exposure through simulated rain, condensation and mist
- Temperature fluctuations from extreme heat and cold
- Salt and corrosion conditions
- Combined light, temperature, humidity and corrosive exposure
The accelerated aging testing offers manufacturers significant benefits, helping them anticipate potential product failures before real-world exposure. While no test can perfectly replicate every environmental condition, laboratory simulations provide highly accurate data to identify weaknesses early.
Our team at the weathering testing lab provides temperature-controlled analysis during this accelerated weathering testing. We evaluate critical factors such as weathering due to UV radiation, UV exposure and water spray. The insights from accelerated UV testing and others allow research and design teams to refine products before full-scale production.
By condensing years of weather exposure into a short testing period, accelerated weathering allows manufacturers to conduct multiple tests efficiently. This is especially crucial for industries with strict quality requirements, such as protective coatings, paints and varnishes. Additionally, weathering tests establish a verifiable audit trail that safeguards manufacturers against potential complaints or litigation.
For forward-thinking manufacturers, accelerated weathering testing isn’t just a cost; it’s an investment in reliability. After all, the true expense lies in skipping testing and facing unexpected failures.
Testing by Industry
At VTEC Laboratories, we offer accelerated aging testing services for many industries, including:
Our ISO-accredited facility adapts to more than 20 different test standards of leading agencies. We focus on the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which are in-depth and encompass a range of materials, like plastics, and several weather factors, such as humidity, water and light.
How Accelerated Weathering Programs Differ
Accelerated weathering testing can be structured in different ways depending on the product, the exposure goals, and the type of performance data needed. While real-world outdoor exposure may still be useful for some long-term studies, most commercial product evaluation depends on laboratory-controlled methods that deliver faster, repeatable results.
For many manufacturers, the more practical question is not whether weathering can be tested naturally or in a lab. It is which laboratory weathering method best matches the product’s real service conditions.
Laboratory-Accelerated Weathering
Most accelerated weathering testing today occurs in a weathering testing lab where engineers control light, moisture, and temperature in a repeatable test chamber. This allows teams to simulate outdoor aging, UV degradation, and environmental exposure in a fraction of the time required for natural exposure studies.
Laboratory-based testing is often the best choice when a project needs:
- faster product validation
- repeatable environmental exposure testing
- data for specifications, certifications, or internal approvals
- a defined comparison between material options
Choosing the Right Test Path
In most cases, product teams are deciding between:
- fluorescent UV testing (ASTM G154) for UV-focused degradation and screening
- xenon arc weathering testing (ASTM G155) for full-spectrum solar simulation
- custom exposure programs when a standard cycle does not fully reflect the product’s end-use environment
If you are still determining the best fit, use the comparison guidance above or contact VTEC Laboratories for help selecting the most appropriate accelerated aging testing program.
Because laboratory analysis is an artificial process, it’s mandatory to have test standards for accelerated aging testing.
Various procedures for accelerated weathering testing include exposure of non-metallic materials to simulate natural conditions. That can involve friction testing, rubber deterioration or plastic breakdown under solar radiation.
As stated earlier, VTEC Laboratories strictly adheres to weathering testing standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
This is because exposure tests that meet ASTM test standards are valid, reliable and recognized by every leading industry involved in weathering tests.
You can depend on these ASTM standards for in-depth analysis across a range of materials and a wide scope of climatic simulations, even in the cases of accelerated weathering testing.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Since 1898, the American Society for Testing and Materials has set the bar for product evaluation. The ASTM is a world leader in developing valid processes in over 12,000 applications.
It has testing standards that are defined in directives identified by numeric prefixes followed by a clear written title identifying the subject matter. By adhering to these standards, VTEC Laboratories accurately recreates synthetic conditions closely resembling what products experience under extreme natural conditions.
That might be using vulcanized rubber test standards or employing high-tech equipment like a carbon-arc light apparatus, a fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) lamp apparatus or a xenon arc light during accelerated weathering testing.
VTEC Laboratories depends on the ASTM’s leadership and global technical expertise for accelerated aging testing standards and technical content development.
Using the ASTM’s advanced information technology (IT) infrastructure, VTEC Laboratories has access to the latest testing methods, classifications, specifications, guides and practices that support American business to create top-quality products.
At our weathering testing lab, we offer weathering testing services for many industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, government, military, oil and gas, textiles, manufacturing, chemicals, plastics and railroads. Typical products that undergo accelerated weathering testing are plastics and rubber. Regardless of material composition, each test follows rigorous steps to ensure a valid assessment.
Some of the testing standards we offer are ASTM D573, ASTM D750, ASTM D1149, ASTM D2126, ASTM G154 and ASTM G155. Here is a detailed look at our most popular ASTM weathering tests:
ASTM D573
Standard Test Method for Rubber — Deterioration in an Air Oven
Rubber products need to resist physical property deterioration caused by thermal aging and oxidation. This method outlines how to assess rubber’s performance characteristics under specified accelerated aging testing conditions. Annex A1 in the directive has important information on precision testing and accelerated test age evaluation.
This accelerated weathering testing procedure determines elevated temperature influence on vulcanized rubber’s physical properties, but since this is a highly varied substance, ASTM D573 testing may not give an exact correlation with field service performance.
Other rubber compounds evaluate test results on a weathering testing lab comparison basis. ASTM D573 standards refer to documents that detail:
- Sample preparation for physically testing rubber compounds
- Test methods for vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic elastomer tension
- Materials, equipment and procedures for testing vulcanized rubber sheets
- Practice for evaluating natural rubber
- Test methods for evaluating styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
ASTM D750
Standard Practice for Rubber Deterioration Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus
In accelerated weathering and other testing methods, this ASTM directive describes standard practices for testing rubber deterioration using artificial instruments that recreate major natural factors like solar rays, heat and moisture.
Instruments include a fluorescent ultraviolet light source, a xenon-arc light source, an enclosed carbon-arc light source and an open-flame carbon-arc light source. The purpose is to accelerate natural forces and put a strain on rubber products held in a jig.
Here, resistance to amplified stresses is the main testing criterion.
The resistance of rubber products to accelerated forces is measured by a percentage decrease in tensile strength and the elongation breaking point.
A secondary criterion during accelerated weathering testing or other methods is observing the extent of surface cracking or crazing on the rubber product. ASTM D750 standards refer to documents that detail:
- Test methods for thermoplastic elastomer tension and vulcanized rubber
- Best practices for rubber material testing, including equipment and mixing
- Precise evaluation of test methods in the rubber and carbon industries
- Exposing non-metallic materials to laboratory light acceleration devices
- Preparing vulcanized rubber pieces in a weathering testing lab or any other setting for testing purposes
ASTM D1149
Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration — Cracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment
Ozone is destructive to both natural and synthetic rubber. Both rubber forms break down when exposed to ozone. That can seriously reduce a product’s service life unless treated accordingly.
The ASTM D1149 directive outlines procedures for testing the resistance of rubber products. It is judged on cracks on rubber surfaces and rated according to magnitude and appearance.
Accelerated aging testing methods amplify light sensitivity through accelerated time and exposure intensity. ASTM D1149 standards refer to documents that detail:
- Rubber deterioration and surface cracking test methods for indoor ozone
- Outdoor ozone effects on surface cracks and rubber deterioration
- Best practices and standard conditions for rubber deterioration/cracking
- Testing rubber through dynamic ozone cracking in a chamber
- Rubber property testing for extension cycling fatigue
ASTM D2126
Standard Test Method for Response of Rigid Cellular Plastics to Thermal and Humid Aging
Rigid cellular plastics have a wide range of potential uses, which is why methods like accelerated weathering testing are important.
ASTM D2126 prescribes detailed testing procedures for rigid plastics but cautions that test applications must be based on the product’s intended use. Plastics are notably sensitive to heat, light and moisture.
The standard test method for rigid cellular plastic products recommends a variety of conditions, depending on the desired exposure a product is likely to receive.
Tested plastic products are subjected to various temperatures and humidity levels introduced in weathering testing lab settings. Primarily, technicians record dimension changes occurring in stressed products. ASTM D2126 standards refer to documents that detail:
- Terminology relating to plastics
- Test methods for evaluating plastic responses under thermal and humid aging
- ISO standards for rigid testing of cellular plastics
- ANSI standards for rigid cell plastic testing
- ISC documents for aging on cellular plastics and elastomers
ASTM G154
Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
This is one of the most common accelerated weathering testing practices in the industry. It involves subjecting products to intensified fluorescent ultraviolet light conditions for varying durations. G154 testing is also done in conjunction with increasing and decreasing moisture levels.
Because ASTM G154 focuses on fluorescent UV exposure rather than full-spectrum sunlight simulation, it is commonly used for accelerated screening of non-metallic materials where UV and moisture are primary degradation factors. Fluorescent ultraviolet weathering testing includes both UVA and UVB light spectrums. ASTM G154 standards refer to documents that detail:
- Calculating the property retention index of plastics
- Guide to conducting an interlaboratory study for precision test methods
- Terminology relating to artificial or accelerated weathering testing on non-metallic materials
- Practices for exposing non-metallic materials to light sources in a weathering testing lab
- Reference tables for solar ultraviolet spectral distribution
ASTM G155
Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
Xenon arc light apparatus exposures perform best on materials destined for use in outdoor, bright light applications.
ASTM G155 weathering test guidelines govern xenon arc lighting that’s similar to direct sunlight. Amplification with xenon arc lighting accelerates product testing time in a lab setting more than natural light conditions allow.
Many commercial and industrial products specify weather testing that specifically involves G155 xenon arc lighting conditions.
Accelerated weathering testing with xenon arc lights normally includes repetitive cycles of light and moisture under controlled artificial environments. ASTM G155 standards refer to documents that detail:
- Best practices for interlaboratory testing of paint and related materials
- Conducting interlaboratory studies to determine test model precision
- Calculating plastic property retention indexes
- Practices for operating light-exposure apparatuses with moisture exposure
- Exposing non-metallic materials in accelerated test devices using laboratory light
Other Common Weathering Tests that VTEC Laboratories Performs
Besides weather testing for solar radiation effects, moisture resistance and temperature sensitivity, many vulnerable products can be tested for other environmental threats.
At our weathering testing lab, we specialize in accelerated weathering testing and other weathering tests as per ASTM directives for light, humidity and temperature, but we do additional custom weather testing for these natural exposures:
- Salt spray and chlorine corrosion
- Sand and mineral abrasion
- Airborne pollutants
- Biological hazards
- Acid rain
- Thermal shock
- Vibration impact
Contact VTEC Laboratories
Since 1982, VTEC Laboratories has earned an international reputation for being a leader in industrial and commercial product test services. This includes a full-service accelerated weathering testing source.
We’re a multifunctional company with a wide range of testing abilities, including listing, labeling and follow-up inspection services.
Weathering testing is a primary service we’re proud to offer. As an ASTM-compliant accelerated aging testing service, we adhere to the highest standards at our weathering testing lab to ensure you receive valid data you can rely on—every test and every time. We also do custom work for private businesses, government institutions and military applications.
When you collaborate with VTEC Laboratories, you benefit from our versatile skill sets, international reach and personal approach. Contact us today for the accelerated weathering testing you’re looking for. You can reach us online or call us at 718-542-8248.
VTEC Laboratories Inc.
Since 1982, VTEC Laboratories has provided fast, reliable testing services across aerospace, construction, and manufacturing. Based in New York, we offer ISO-accredited fire, weathering, industrial, and environmental testing delivered with speed, accuracy, and clear communication.
212 Manida Street, Bronx, NY 10474
Phone: 718-542-8248
Fax: 718-542-8759
