Designation: D 4329 – 05

Standard Practice for

Fluorescent UV Exposure of Plastics1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4329; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* G 177 Tables for Reference Solar Ultraviolet Spectral Dis-

1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test condi- tributions: Hemispherical on 37 Degree Tilted Surface
tions that are applicable for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics 2.2 ISO Standard:3
conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 154. This ISO 4892-3 Plastics—Methods of Exposure to Laboratory
practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test Light Sources—Part 3, Fluorescent UV Lamps
conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test 2.3 SAE Standard:4
results. SAE J2020 Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior
1.2 The values stated in SI units are be regarded as standard. Materials Using a Fluorescent UV and Condensation
The values given in brackets are for information only. Apparatus
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1 The definitions in Terminology G 113 are applicable to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- this practice.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—This practice is technically similar to ISO 4892-3. 4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of
2. Referenced Documents its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by
exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 many applications. This practice is intended to induce property
D 3980 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Paint and changes associated with end-use conditions, including the
Related Materials effects of sunlight, moisture, and heat. The exposure used in
D 5870 Practice for Calculating Property Retention Index this practice is not intended to simulate the deterioration caused
of Plastics by localized weather phenomena, such as, atmospheric pollu-
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to tion, biological attack, and saltwater exposure. (Warning—
Determine the Precision of a Test Method Variation in results may be expected when operating conditions
G 113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore,
Weathering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials no reference to the use of this practice should be made unless
G 141 Guide for Addressing Variability in Exposure Testing accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section
on Nonmetallic Materials 8 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to
G 147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonme- Practice G 151 for detailed information on the caveats appli-
tallic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests cable to use of results obtained in accordance with this
G 151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Ac- practice.)
celerated Test Devices That Use Laboratory Light Sources
G 154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus NOTE 2—Additional information on sources of variability and on
strategies for addressing variability in the design, execution, and data
for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
analysis of laboratory-accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G 141.
G 169 Guide for Applications of Basic Statistical Methods
to Weathering Tests 4.2 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has
been shown to be good when the stability of materials is
evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.50 on Permanence Properties.
Current edition approved July 15, 2005. Published August 2005. Originally 3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 4329 - 99. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 4329 – 05

FIG. 1 Representative Spectral Power Distribution of UVA-340 Fluorescent Lamps

materials or to a control.5,6 Therefore, exposure of a similar 5.3.1 Locate the apparatus in an area maintained between 18
material of known performance (a control) at the same time as and 27°C [65 and 80°F]. Measure ambient temperature at a
the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended maximum distance of 150 mm [6 in.] from the plane door of
that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to the apparatus. Control of ambient temperature is particularly
allow for statistical evaluation of results. critical when one apparatus is stacked above another, because
4.3 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to the heat generated from the lower unit can interfere with the
operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G 154. operation of the units above.
Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, tempera- 5.3.2 Place the apparatus at least 300 mm from walls or
ture of the room in which the device operates, temperature other apparatus. Do not place the apparatus near a heat source
control, and condition and age of the lamp. such as an oven.
5.3.3 Ventilate the room in which the apparatus is located to
5. Apparatus remove heat and moisture.
5.1 Use of fluorescent UV apparatus that conforms to the
requirements defined in Practices G 151 and G 154 is required 6. Test Specimen
to conform to this practice. 6.1 The size and shape of specimens to be exposed will be
5.2 Unless otherwise specified, the spectral power distribu- determined by the specifications of the particular test method
tion of the fluorescent UV lamp shall conform to the require- used to evaluate the effects of the exposure on the specimens;
ments in Practice G 154 for a UVA 340 lamp. Fig. 1 is a the test method shall be determined by the parties concerned.
spectral irradiance plot for a typical UVA-340 lamp and Where practical, it is recommended that specimens be sized to
benchmark solar radiation. fit specimen holders and racks supplied with the exposure
NOTE 3—The source of the sunlight data in Fig. 1 is from Standard apparatus. Unless supplied with a specific backing as an
G 177 standard solar spectrum. integral part of the test, specimens shall be mounted so that
only the minimum specimen area required for support by the
5.3 Test Chamber Location:
holder shall be covered. This unexposed surface must not be
used as part of the test area.
5
Fischer, R., “Results of Round Robin Studies of Light- and Water-Exposure 6.2 For specimens of insulating materials, such as foams,
Standard Practices,” Accelerated and Outdoor Durability Testing of Organic maximum specimen thickness is 20 mm in order to allow for
Materials, ASTM STP 1202, Warren D. Ketola and Douglas Grossman, eds., adequate heat transfer for condensation.
American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1993.
6
Ketola, W., and Fischer, R., “Characterization and Use of Reference Materials
6.3 To provide rigidity, attach flexible specimens to a
in Accelerated Durability Tests,” VAMAS Technical Report No. 30, available from backing panel made of aluminum, 0.635 mm [0.025 in.] thick.
NIST, Gaithersburg, MD. Suggested aluminum alloys are 5052, 6061, or 3003.

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 D 4329 – 05
6.4 Seal any holes in specimens larger than 2 mm and any 7.2.3 Cycle C:
openings larger than 1 mm around irregularly shaped speci- 8 h UV with uninsulated black panel temperature controlled at 50 6
mens to prevent loss of water vapor. Attach porous specimens 3°C
4 h condensation with uninsulated black panel temperature con-
to a solid backing such as aluminum that can act as a vapor trolled at 50 6 3°C
barrier. (Typically used for some plastic building products)
6.5 Unless otherwise specified, expose at least three repli-
7.3 Practice G 154 lists several other exposure cycles that
cate specimens of each test and control material.
are used for fluorescent UV exposures of nonmetallic materi-
6.6 Follow the procedures described in Practice G 147 for
als. Obtain mutual agreement between all concerned parties for
identification, conditioning, and handling of specimens of test,
the specific exposure cycle used.
control, and reference materials prior to, during, and after
7.4 In order to minimize any effects from temperature or
exposure.
UV light variation, reposition the specimens as follows. Fig. 2
6.7 Do not mask the face of a specimen for the purpose of
shows a diagram of the specimen repositioning.
showing on one panel the effects of various exposure times.
7.4.1 Reposition the specimens horizontally to ensure that
Misleading results may be obtained by this method, since the
each specimen spends the same amount of exposure time in
masked portion of the specimen is still exposed to temperature
each horizontal position within the specimen holder by (1)
and humidity cycles that in many cases will affect results.
moving the two extreme right-hand holders to the far left of the
6.8 Since the thickness of a specimen may markedly affect
exposure area, and (2) sliding the remaining holders to the
the results, thickness of test and control specimens shall be
right.
within 610 % of the nominal dimensions.
7.4.2 Reposition the specimens vertically so that each speci-
NOTE 4—This is especially important when mechanical properties are men spends the same amount of exposure time in each vertical
being investigated. position within the specimen holder. For instance, if two
6.9 Retain a supply of unexposed file specimens of all specimens are stacked vertically in each holder, then the top
materials evaluated. and bottom specimens should switch places halfway through
6.9.1 When destructive tests are run, ensure that sufficient the test. If four specimens are stacked vertically, then the
file specimens are retained so that the property of interest can specimens should be repositioned vertically three times during
be determined on unexposed file specimens each time exposed the test.
materials are evaluated. 7.5 Water Purity—The purity of water used for specimen
6.10 Specimens should not be removed from the exposure spray is very important. Follow the purity requirements in
apparatus for more than 24 h and then returned for additional Practice G 151 for water sprayed on specimen surfaces. It is
tests, since this does not produce the same results on all recommended that deionized water be used for water used to
materials as tests run without this type of interruption. When produce condensation.
specimens are removed from the exposure apparatus for 24 h or 7.6 It is recommended that a control material be exposed at
more and then returned for additional exposure, report the the same time as the test specimens for comparison purposes,
elapsed time as noted in accordance with Section 9. if performance comparisons are not being made between the
test materials themselves. All concerned parties must agree on
NOTE 5—Since the stability of the file specimen may also be time-
dependent, users are cautioned that over prolonged exposure periods, or
the control material used.
where small differences in the order of acceptable limits are anticipated, 7.6.1 Identification of any control specimen used shall
comparison of exposed specimens with the file specimen may not be valid. accompany the report.
Instrumental measurements are recommended whenever possible.
8. Periods of Exposure and Evaluation of Test Results
7. Procedure
8.1 In most cases, periodic evaluation of test and control
7.1 When the test and control specimens do not completely materials is necessary to determine the variation in magnitude
fill the specimen racks, fill all empty spaces with blank panels and direction of property change as a function of exposure time
to maintain the test conditions within the chamber. or radiant exposure.
7.2 Unless otherwise specified, program the device to one of 8.2 The time or radiant exposure necessary to produce a
the following test cycles. Operate the device continuously. defined change in a material property can be used to evaluate
7.2.1 Cycle A: or rank the stability of materials. This method is preferred over
8 h UV with uninsulated black panel temperature controlled at 60 6 evaluating materials after an arbitrary exposure time or radiant
3°C
4 h condensation with uninsulated black panel temperature con- exposure.
trolled at 50 6 3°C 8.2.1 Exposure to an arbitrary time or radiant exposure may
(Used for most general applications)
be used for the purpose of a specific test if agreed upon
7.2.2 Cycle B: between the parties concerned or if required for conformance
8 h UV with uninsulated black panel temperature controlled at 70 6 to a particular specification. When a single exposure period is
3°C used, select a time or radiant exposure that will produce the
4 h condensation with uninsulated black panel temperature con-
trolled at 50 6 3°C
largest performance differences between the test materials or
(Typically used for automotive applications) Note: Cycle B is equiva- between the test material and the control material.
lent to the exposure test cycle specified in SAE J2020. 8.2.2 The minimum exposure time used shall be that nec-
essary to produce a substantial change in the property of

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 D 4329 – 05

FIG. 2 Horizontal Specimen Holder Repositioning

interest for the least stable material being evaluated. An 8.3 After each exposure increment, evaluate or rate changes
exposure time that produces a significant change in one type of in exposed test specimens in accordance with applicable
material cannot be assumed to be applicable to other types of ASTM test methods.
materials.
NOTE 7—For some materials, changes may continue after the specimen
8.2.3 The relation between time to failure in an exposure has been removed from the exposure apparatus. Measurements (visual or
conducted in accordance with this practice and service life in instrumental) should be made within a standardized time period or as
an outdoor environment requires determination of a valid agreed upon between the interested parties. The standardized time period
acceleration factor. Do not use arbitrary acceleration factors needs to consider conditioning prior to testing.
relating time in an exposure conducted in accordance with this
8.4 Use of results from exposures conducted in accordance
practice and time in an outdoor environment because they can
with this practice in specifications:
give erroneous information. The acceleration factor is material-
dependent and is only valid if it is based on data from a 8.4.1 If a standard or specification for general use requires a
sufficient number of separate exterior and laboratory- definite property level after a specific time or radiant exposure
accelerated exposures so that results used to relate times to in an exposure test conducted in accordance with this practice,
failure in each exposure can be analyzed using statistical base the specified property level on results from round-robin
methods. experiments run to determine the test reproducibility from the
exposure and property measurement procedures. Conduct these
NOTE 6—An example of a statistical analysis using multiple-laboratory round robins in accordance with Practice E 691 or Practice
and exterior exposures to calculate an acceleration factor is described by D 3980 and include a statistically representative sample of all
Simms.7 See Practice G 151 for more information and additional cautions
about the use of acceleration factors.
laboratories or organizations who would normally conduct the
exposure and property measurement.
8.4.2 If a standard or specification for use between two or
three parties requires a definite property level after a specific
7
Simms, J.A., Journal of Coatings Technology, Vol 50, 1987, pp. 45–53. time or radiant exposure in an exposure test conducted in

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 D 4329 – 05
accordance with this practice, base the specified property level over a spectral range, irradiance in W/m2 or radiant exposure in
on two independent experiments run in each laboratory to J/m2 and the wavelength region in which measurements were
determine the reproducibility for the exposure and property made.
measurement process. The reproducibility of the exposure/ 9.1.3.1 Do not report irradiance or radiant exposure unless
property measurement process is then used to determine the direct measurement of irradiance was made during the expo-
minimum level of property after the exposure that is mutually sure.
agreeable to all parties. 9.1.4 Elapsed exposure time.
8.4.3 When reproducibility in results from an exposure test 9.1.5 Light- and dark-water condensation or spray cycle
conducted in accordance with this practice has not been employed.
established through round-robin testing, specify performance 9.1.6 Operating black panel temperature.
requirements for materials in terms of comparison (ranked) to 9.1.7 Type of spray nozzle, if used.
a control material. All specimens shall be exposed simulta- 9.1.7.1 If water spray is used, total solids and silica level of
neously in the same device. All concerned parties must agree water used for specimen spray (if above limits specified in
on the specific control material used. Practice G 151).
8.4.3.1 Conduct analysis of variance to determine whether 9.1.8 If used, specimen repositioning or other means of
any differences between test materials and control materials is ensuring equal radiant exposure on all specimens or compen-
statistically significant. Expose replicates of the test specimen sating for differences in irradiance within the exposure cham-
and the control specimen so that statistically significant per- ber.
formance differences can be determined 9.1.9 Results of property tests. Calculate retention of char-
NOTE 8—Fischer illustrates use of rank comparison between test and
acteristic property in accordance with Practice D 5870 when it
control materials in specifications.8 is reported.
NOTE 9—Guide G 169 includes examples showing use of analysis of
10. Precision and Bias
variance to compare materials.
10.1 Precision—The repeatability and reproducibility of
9. Report results obtained in exposures conducted in accordance with this
9.1 Report the following information: practice will vary with the materials being tested, the material
9.1.1 Type and model of exposure device. property being measured, and the specific test conditions and
9.1.2 Age of fluorescent lamps used at the start of the cycles that are used. It is essential to determine reproducibility
exposure, and whether any lamps were changed during the of the exposure/property measurement process when using the
period of exposure. results from exposures conducted in accordance with this
9.1.3 If required, irradiance in W(m2 · nm) at 340 nm, or practice in product specifications.
radiant exposure in J(m2 · nm) at 340 nm. For measurements 10.2 Bias—Bias cannot be determined because no accept-
able standard weathering reference materials are available.
8
Fischer, R., Ketola, W., “Impact of Research on Development of ASTM 11. Keywords
Durability Testing Standards,” Durability Testing of Non-Metallic Materials, ASTM
STP 1294, Robert Herling, ed., American Society for Testing and Materials, 11.1 degradation; exposure; fluorescent UV; light exposure;
Philadelphia, 1995. ultraviolet

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue,
D 4329 - 99, that may impact the use of this standard. (July 15, 2005)

(1) Revised Note 1 to specify that this practice is technically (9) Updated 7.2.2, Cycle B to include note stating that Cycle
similar to ISO 4892-3. B is equivalent to test cycle contained in SAE J2020.
(2) Added references to Guide G 169 and Standard G 177. (10) Revised parenthetical statement in 7.2.3, Cycle C to
(3) Added reference to SAE J2020 to Section 2. Referenced clarify that this test cycle is used for some plastic building
Documents. products.
(4) Added reference to Fig. 1 in 5.2. (11) Added missing Fig. 2 under 7.4.
(5) Revised Fig. 1 to replace CIE sunlight data with Standard (12) Revised title of Fig. 2 from “Horizontal Specimen Holder
G 177 solar benchmark data. Rotation” to “Horizontal Specimen Holder Repositioning” in
(6) Added new explanatory Note 3 that Standard G 177 is the order to agree with wording in 7.4.
source of solar radiation data in Fig. 1. (13) Revised wording addressing specimen repositioning in
(7) Editorially revised irradiance unit designation from “W/ section 7.4.1.
m2/nm” to “W/(sq.m . nm)” in Fig. 1. (14) Added reference to Guide G 169 in Note 9.
(8) Deleted text addressing irradiance uniformity in old sub- (15) Revised 9.1.3 to update irradiance measurement reporting
section 6.9. requirements.

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 D 4329 – 05
(16) Revised 9.1.5 to change “humidity cycle” to “spray (18) Updated 9.1.7.1 addressing water spray reporting require-
cycle.” ments.
(17) Deleted old subsection 9.1.7 addressing reporting of (19) Updated 9.1.8 addressing specimen repositioning report-
operating relative humidity. ing requirements.

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