ASTM G155 is a standard published by ASTM International that provides guidelines for operating xenon arc light apparatus to expose non-metallic materials to simulated sunlight and weathering conditions. The standard outlines procedures for setting up, calibrating and operating instruments to ensure reliable and consistent test results.
The purpose of ASTM G155 is to provide a standardized method for evaluating the resistance of nonmetallic materials such as plastics, paints, and coatings to weathering and other environmental factors. The test is designed to simulate the effects of natural sunlight and weathering, including exposure to UV radiation, heat and moisture.
This standard describes the construction and operation of a xenon arc light apparatus that emits light in the UV, visible, and infrared regions of the spectrum, filters the light to simulate the solar spectrum, and exposes specimens to a series of temperature and humidity cycles to simulate outdoor Effects of weathering.
ASTM G155 provides detailed procedures for specimen preparation, exposure conditions, and evaluation of test results that can be used to evaluate color change, gloss retention, and other physical properties of materials after exposure to simulated sunlight and weathering.
The standard also provides guidelines for calibration and maintenance of xenon arc lamp fixtures to ensure that test conditions remain consistent and reliable over time. This includes periodic replacement of the xenon arc lamps and monitoring of temperature and humidity conditions during the test.
ASTM G155 is widely used by manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and testing laboratories to evaluate the performance of non-metallic materials under simulated weathering conditions. This test method has been shown to provide reliable results that correlate closely with actual outdoor weathering performance.
The standard provides several options for test conditions, including variations in light sources, temperature and humidity conditions. These options allow testing to be tailored to simulate specific environmental conditions a material may encounter in its intended use.
ASTM G155 also provides guidelines for specimen preparation, including the size and shape of the specimen and the type of mounting used during testing. The standard outlines procedures for measuring and recording test results, including degree of color change, gloss retention and other physical properties.
In addition to providing guidance for operating xenon arc light devices, ASTM G155 provides information on the limitations of the test method, for example, the test may not accurately simulate certain weathering conditions, such as exposure to acid rain or ozone. The standard also notes that the test results may not be directly comparable to those obtained from other weathering tests, such as exposure to natural sunlight.
Overall, ASTM G155 provides a valuable tool for evaluating the durability and weatherability of nonmetallic materials under simulated outdoor conditions. The use of this standard helps ensure that these materials provide reliable performance over time and meet the requirements of their intended application. It also helps to ensure that non-metallic materials are tested in a consistent and standardized manner, providing reliable and repeatable results that can be used to evaluate the performance of these materials under simulated outdoor conditions.
