Outdoor and Accelerated Weathering of Elastomers and Plastics: The Assessment of an Accelerated Weathering Test Chamber
Abstract
A range of elastomers and plastics were exposed in a 'Climatest' accelerated weathering test chamber which uses a fluorescent source of ultraviolet radiation. The rates of deterioration of the materials exposed in the 'Climatest' were compared with those of the same materials exposed out of doors at various sites including hot/wet and hot/dry tropical sites at Australia and temperate UK sites. The rates of deterioration obtained with the 'Climatest' were usually about ten times faster than outdoor tropical exposures, rather slower than had been anticipated. Correlation between the rates of change of mechanical properties of materials exposed in the 'Climatest' and out of doors was reasonably satisfactory, although visual failures apparent on specimens exposed out of doors were not necessarily reproduced by accelerated weathering cycles. A brief description of the 'Climatest' and its operation is also given.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0752373
Entities
People
- John Wright