Applied Technical Services, Inc. offers solar testing to clients whose materials and equipment can be affected by direct solar radiation. Our ISO 9001:2015-registered labs are well equipped and professionally managed to perform accurate testing and provide clear, detailed reports. By using a variety of methods, technicians in our environmental testing lab determine the degree to which sample materials are susceptible to the negative effects of solar radiation.Materials are subject to three main stress factors when exposed to direct sunlight:
- Thermal Rise
- Moisture
- Solar Radiation
Based upon manufacturing process and material composition, it can be determined if a component absorbs higher rates of radiation or has more reflective qualities.
Exposure to Solar Radiation Can Reveal:
- Poor Structural Integrity
- Expansion or Contraction of Materials
- Effects on Moving Parts
- Glue Adhesions
- Effects on Elasticity
- Linkage Device malfunction
- Electrical Component Failures
- Premature Actuation of Electrical Contacts
- Effects on Elastomers and Polymers
- Blistering Paints, Composites, and/or Surface Laminates
- Peeling Paints, Composites, and/or Surface Laminates
- Delamination of Paints, Composites and/or Surface Laminates
- Softening of Potting Compounds
- Effects on Pressure
- Causes of Sweating of Materials and Explosives
- Difficulty in Handling Due to High Temperatures
- Fading of Color
- Checking and Chalking
Industries Served
Among the many industries with which ATS enjoys an excellent reputation are military, aerospace, maritime, railroad, automotive, construction, consumer products, industrial, manufacturing, nuclear, chemical, commercial, pharmaceuticals, power generation and telecommunications.
Popular Industry Testing Standards:
- MIL–STD
- ASTM
- ISO
- AATCC
- GME
- GMW
- JASO
- PV
- SAE
- VDA
- VW PV
- EN
- GM
- DIN EN
Whether you are testing to popular industry standards or need customized testing, our experts have the knowledge to get your questions answered and your products validated. ATS’ experts also offer reviews of installation practices and workmanship. With clients from many industries, ATS tests a wide variety of products.
Commonly Tested Products / Components:
- Paints and Coatings
- Textiles
- Paper Products
- Interior / Exterior Automotive Plastics
- Packaging
- Roofing Materials
- Siding Materials
Below is a list of solar testing standards and descriptions for which we are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited by the A2LA to perform, categorized by the general method to which they pertain:
Fluorescent Ultraviolet Exposure Testing
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| ASTM D4329 | Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV Exposure of Plastics |
| ASTM D4587 | Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings |
| ASTM D4674 | Standard Practice for accelerated Testing for Color Stability of Plastics Exposed to Indoor Fluorescent Lighting and Window Filtered Daylight |
| ASTM D5894 | Standard Practice for Cyclic Salt Fog/UV Exposure of Painted Metal, (Alternating Exposures in a Fog/Dry Cabinet and a UV/Condensation Cabinet) |
| ASTM G154 | Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials |
| ISO 11997-1 | Paints and varnishes — Determination of resistance to cyclic corrosion conditions — Part 1: Wet (salt fog)/dry/humid |
| ISO 4892–3 (EN) (DIN) | Plastics — Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources – Part 3: Fluorescent UV Lamps |
| SAE J2020 | Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Fluorescent UV and Condensation Apparatus |
Xenon Arc Exposure Testing
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| ASTM D2565 | Standard Practice for Operation of Xenon Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Outdoor Use |
| ASTM D4355 | Standard Test Method for Deterioration of Geotextiles from Exposure to Ultraviolet Light and Water (Xenon-Arc Type Apparatus) |
| ASTM D4459 | Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Indoor Applications |
| ASTM D6695 | Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings |
| ASTM D7869 | Standard Practice for Xenon Arc Exposure Test with Enhanced Light and Water Exposure for Transportation Coatings |
| ASTM G155 | Standard Practice for Operation of Xenon Arc Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials |
| FLTM BO 116-01 | Resistance to Interior Weathering |
| GMW 14162 | Colorfastness to Artificial Weathering |
| GMW 3414 | Test Method for Artificial Weathering of Automotive Interior Trim Materials |
| ISO 105–B02 | Textiles — Tests for color fastness — Part B02: Color fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc fading lamp test |
| ISO 105–B04 | Textiles — Tests for color fastness — Part B04: Color fastness to weathering: Xenon arc test |
| ISO 11507 | Paints and varnishes — Exposure of coatings to artificial weathering — Exposure to fluorescent UV lamps and water |
| ISO 4892–2 | UV Exposure: Plastics – Methods of Exposure To Laboratory Light Sources — Xenon Arc |
| PV 1303 | Non-metallic materials — Lightfastness test for interior parts |
| PV 3929 | Non-Metallic Materials — Weather Ageing in Dry, Hot Climate |
| PV 3930 | Non-Metallic Materials — Weathering in Moist, Hot Climate |
| SAE J1885 | Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Interior Trim Components Using a Controlled Irradiance Water Cooled Xenon-Arc Apparatus |
| 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 Water Cooled Xenon-Arc Apparatus |
| VDA 75202 | Automotive interior materials — Colorfastness and ageing test against light at high temperatures: Xenon arc |
Color/Gloss Analysis
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| ASTM D2244 | Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates |
| ASTM D523 | Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss |
| ISO 2813 | Paints and varnishes — Determination of gloss value at 20 degrees, 60 degrees and 85 degrees |
| ISO 3668 | Paints and varnishes — Visual comparison of colour of paints |
| ISO 7724 | Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry |
| JIS D 0205 | Weatherability for Automotive Parts Sections 1-6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 8-9 |
ATS’ Commitment to Quality
Our environmental testing lab runs according to an ISO 9001:2015 registered quality management system. This distinction means that a third-party auditor affirms that ATS’ quality assurance program is consistent with the principles outlined in the internationally recognized standard on effective quality management practices. By implementing an ISO 9001:2015 registered system, we laid the foundation to continually improve our customers’ experience when they work with ATS. We make this effort to ensure that we provide our clients with reasons to keep coming back: accurate and detailed reporting, experts who are engaged, available, and responsive, all delivered within a short turnaround window.
If your company needs to determine whether your product or equipment sufficiently resists the effects of solar radiation, contact ATS today about our solar testing services — we take a closer look!
