Designation: D 4329 – 99

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 141 Guide for Addressing Variability in Exposure Testing

1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test condi- on Nonmetallic Materials4
tions that are applicable for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics G 147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonme-
conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 154. This tallic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests4
practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test G 151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Ac-
conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test celerated Test Devices That Use Laboratory Light
results. Sources4
G 154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus
NOTE 1—Previous versions of this practice referenced fluorescent UV for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials4
devices described by Practice G 53, which described very specific
equipment designs. Practice G 53 is being replaced by Practice G 151,
2.2 ISO Standard:5
which describes performance criteria for all exposure devices that use ISO 4892-3 Plastics—Methods of Exposure to Laboratory
laboratory light sources and by Practice G 154, which gives requirements Light Sources — Part 3, Fluorescent UV Lamps
for exposing nonmetallic materials in fluorescent UV devices. Practice
G 53 will be balloted for withdrawl before December 2000. 3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are be regarded as standard. 3.1 The definitions in Terminology G 113 are applicable to
The values given in parentheses are for information only. this practice.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for
many applications. This practice is intended to induce property
NOTE 2—This practice is technically equivalent to ISO 4892-3. changes associated with end-use conditions, including the
2. Referenced Documents effects of sunlight, moisture, and heat. The exposure used in
this practice is not intended to simulate the deterioration caused
2.1 ASTM Standards: by localized weather phenomena, such as, atmospheric pollu-
D 3980 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Paint and tion, biological attack, and saltwater exposure.
Related Materials2 4.2 Caution—Variation in results may be expected when
D 5870 Practice for Calculating Property Retention Index operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of
of Plastics3 this practice. Therefore, no reference to the use of this practice
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to should be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in
Determine the Precision of a Test Method4 accordance with Section 8 that describes the specific operating
G 53 Practice for Operating Light- and Water-Exposure conditions used. Refer to Practice G 151 for detailed informa-
Apparatus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type) for Expo- tion on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in
sure of Nonmetallic Materials4 accordance with this practice.
G 113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial
Weathering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials4 NOTE 3—Additional information on sources of variability and on
strategies for addressing variability in the design, execution, and data
analysis of laboratory-accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G 141.
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics been shown to be good when the stability of materials is
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.50 on Permanence Properties.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. Originally
evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other
published D 4329 – 84. Last previous edition D 4329 – 92.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

*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
materials or to a control.6,7 Therefore, exposure of a similar 6.4 Seal any holes in specimens larger than 2 mm and any
material of known performance (a control) at the same time as openings larger than 1 mm around irregularly shaped speci-
the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended mens to prevent loss of water vapor. Attach porous specimens
that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to to a solid backing such as aluminum that can act as a vapor
allow for statistical evaluation of results. barrier.
4.4 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to 6.5 Unless otherwise specified, expose at least three repli-
operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G 154. cate specimens of each test and control material.
Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, tempera- 6.6 Follow the procedures described in Practice G 147 for
ture of the room in which the device operates, temperature identification, conditioning, and handling of specimens of test,
control, and condition and age of the lamp. control, and reference materials prior to, during, and after
exposure.
5. Apparatus 6.7 Do not mask the face of a specimen for the purpose of
5.1 Use of fluorescent UV apparatus that conforms to the showing on one panel the effects of various exposure times.
requirements defined in Practices G 151 and G 154 is required Misleading results may be obtained by this method, since the
to conform to this practice. masked portion of the specimen is still exposed to temperature
5.2 Unless otherwise specified, the spectral power distribu- and humidity cycles that in many cases will affect results.
tion of the fluorescent UV lamp shall conform to the require- 6.8 Since the thickness of a specimen may markedly affect
ments in Practice G 154 for a UVA 340 lamp. the results, thickness of test and control specimens shall be
5.3 Test Chamber Location: within 610 % of the nominal dimensions.
5.3.1 Locate the apparatus in an area maintained between 18 NOTE 4—This is especially important when mechanical properties are
and 27°C (65 and 80°F). Measure ambient temperature at a being investigated.
maximum distance of 150 mm (6 in.) from the plane door of 6.9 Incident energy at the extremes of the specimen expo-
the apparatus. Control of ambient temperature is particularly sure area in older equipment may be only 70 % of that at the
critical when one apparatus is stacked above another, because center. If the irradiance at any position within the exposure area
the heat generated from the lower unit can interfere with the is less than 90 % of the peak irradiance, follow one of the
operation of the units above. procedures outlined in Practice G 154 to ensure either equal
5.3.2 Place the apparatus at least 300 mm from walls or radiant exposure or compensation for differences in radiant
other apparatus. Do not place the apparatus near a heat source exposure.
such as an oven. 6.10 Retain a supply of unexposed file specimens of all
5.3.3 Ventilate the room in which the apparatus is located to materials evaluated.
remove heat and moisture. 6.10.1 When destructive tests are run, ensure that sufficient
file specimens are retained so that the property of interest can
6. Test Specimen be determined on unexposed file specimens each time exposed
6.1 The size and shape of specimens to be exposed will be materials are evaluated.
determined by the specifications of the particular test method 6.11 Specimens should not be removed from the exposure
used to evaluate the effects of the exposure on the specimens; apparatus for more than 24 h and then returned for additional
the test method shall be determined by the parties concerned. tests, since this does not produce the same results on all
Where practical, it is recommended that specimens be sized to materials as tests run without this type of interruption. When
fit specimen holders and racks supplied with the exposure specimens are removed from the exposure apparatus for 24 h or
apparatus. Unless supplied with a specific backing as an more and then returned for additional exposure, report the
integral part of the test, specimens shall be mounted so that elapsed time as noted in accordance with Section 9.
only the minimum specimen area required for support by the
NOTE 5—Since the stability of the file specimen may also be time-
holder shall be covered. This unexposed surface must not be
dependent, users are cautioned that over prolonged exposure periods, or
used as part of the test area. where small differences in the order of acceptable limits are anticipated,
6.2 For specimens of insulating materials, such as foams, comparison of exposed specimens with the file specimen may not be valid.
maximum specimen thickness is 20 mm in order to allow for Instrumental measurements are recommended whenever possible.
adequate heat transfer for condensation.
6.3 To provide rigidity, attach flexible specimens to a 7. Procedure
backing panel made of aluminum, 0.635 mm (0.025 in.) thick. 7.1 When the test and control specimens do not completely
Suggested aluminum alloys are 5052, 6061, or 3003. fill the specimen racks, fill all empty spaces with blank panels
to maintain the test conditions within the chamber.
7.2 Unless otherwise specified, program the device to one of
6
the following test cycles. Operate the device continuously.
Fischer, R., “Results of Round Robin Studies of Light- and Water-Exposure
Standard Practices,” Accelerated and Outdoor Durability Testing of Organic
7.2.1 Cycle A:
Materials, ASTM STP 1202, Warren D. Ketola and Douglas Grossman, eds., 8 h UV with uninsulated black panel temperature controlled at 60 6
American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1993. 3°C
7
Ketola, W., and Fischer, R., “Characterization and Use of Reference Materials 4 h condensation with uninsulated black panel temperature con-
in Accelerated Durability Tests,” VAMAS Technical Report No. 30, available from trolled at 506 3°C
NIST, Gaithersburg, MD. (Used for most general applications)

2
 D 4329
7.2.2 Cycle B: test materials themselves. All concerned parties must agree on
8 h UV with uninsulated black panel temperature controlled at 70 6 the control material used.
3°C 7.6.1 Identification of any control specimen used shall
4 h condensation with uninsulated black panel temperature con-
trolled at 506 3°C
accompany the report.
(Typically used for automotive applications)
8. Periods of Exposure and Evaluation of Test Results
7.2.3 Cycle C: 8.1 In most cases, periodic evaluation of test and control
8 h UV with uninsulated black panel temperature controlled at 50 6
3°C
materials is necessary to determine the variation in magnitude
4 h condensation with uninsulated black panel temperature con- and direction of property change as a function of exposure time
trolled at 506 3°C or radiant exposure.
(Typically used for plastic building products)
8.2 The time or radiant exposure necessary to produce a
7.3 Practice G 154 lists several other exposure cycles that defined change in a material property can be used to evaluate
are used for fluorescent UV exposures of nonmetallic materi- or rank the stability of materials. This method is preferred over
als. Obtain mutual agreement between all concerned parties for evaluating materials after an arbitrary exposure time or radiant
the specific exposure cycle used. exposure.
7.4 In order to minimize any effects from temperature or 8.2.1 Exposure to an arbitrary time or radiant exposure may
UV light variation, reposition the specimens as follows. Fig. 1 be used for the purpose of a specific test if agreed upon
shows a diagram of the specimen repositioning. between the parties concerned or if required for conformance
7.4.1 Reposition the specimens horizontally once per week to a particular specification. When a single exposure period is
by (1) moving the two extreme right-hand holders to the far left used, select a time or radiant exposure that will produce the
of the exposure area, and (2) sliding the remaining holders to largest performance differences between the test materials or
the right. between the test material and the control material.
7.4.2 Reposition the specimens vertically so that each speci- 8.2.2 The minimum exposure time used shall be that nec-
men spends the same amount of exposure time in each vertical essary to produce a substantial change in the property of
position within the specimen holder. For instance, if two interest for the least stable material being evaluated. An
specimens are stacked vertically in each holder, then the top exposure time that produces a significant change in one type of
and bottom specimens should switch places halfway through material cannot be assumed to be applicable to other types of
the test. If four specimens are stacked vertically, then the materials.
specimens should be repositioned vertically three times during 8.2.3 The relation between time to failure in an exposure
the test. conducted in accordance with this practice and service life in
7.5 Water Purity—The purity of water used for specimen an outdoor environment requires determination of a valid
spray is very important. Follow the purity requirements in acceleration factor. Do not use arbitrary acceleration factors
Practice G 151 for water sprayed on specimen surfaces. It is relating time in an exposure conducted in accordance with this
recommended that deionized water be used for water used to practice and time in an outdoor environment because they can
produce condensation. give erroneous information. The acceleration factor is material-
7.6 It is recommended that a control material be exposed at dependent and is only valid if it is based on data from a
the same time as the test specimens for comparison purposes, sufficient number of separate exterior and laboratory-
if performance comparisons are not being made between the accelerated exposures so that results used to relate times to
failure in each exposure can be analyzed using statistical
methods.
NOTE 6—An example of a statistical analysis using multiple-laboratory
and exterior exposures to calculate an acceleration factor is described by
Simms.8 See Practice G 151 for more information and additional cautions
about the use of acceleration factors.
8.3 After each exposure increment, evaluate or rate changes
in exposed test specimens in accordance with applicable
ASTM test methods.
NOTE 7—For some materials, changes may continue after the specimen
has been removed from the exposure apparatus. Measurements (visual or
instrumental) should be made within a standardized time period or as
agreed upon between the interested parties. The standardized time period
needs to consider conditioning prior to testing.
8.4 Use of results from exposures conducted in accordance
with this practice in specifications:
8.4.1 If a standard or specification for general use requires a
definite property level after a specific time or radiant exposure
FIG. 1 Representative Spectral Power Distribution of UVA-340
8
Fluorescent Lamps Simms, J.A., Journal of Coatings Technology, Vol 50, 1987, pp. 45–53.

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 D 4329
in an exposure test conducted in accordance with this practice, 9. Report
base the specified property level on results from round-robin 9.1 Report the following information:
experiments run to determine the test reproducibility from the 9.1.1 Type and model of exposure device.
exposure and property measurement procedures. Conduct these 9.1.2 Age of fluorescent lamps used at the start of the
round robins in accordance with Practice E 691 or Practice exposure, and whether any lamps were changed during the
D 3980 and include a statistically representative sample of all period of exposure.
laboratories or organizations who would normally conduct the 9.1.3 If required, irradiance in Wm–2 · nm–1, or radiant
exposure and property measurement. exposure in Jm–2 at the sample plane, and the wavelength
8.4.2 If a standard or specification for use between two or region in which the measurements were made.
three parties requires a definite property level after a specific 9.1.3.1 Do not report irradiance or radiant exposure unless
time or radiant exposure in an exposure test conducted in direct measurement of irradiance was made during the expo-
accordance with this practice, base the specified property level sure.
on two independent experiments run in each laboratory to 9.1.4 Elapsed exposure time.
determine the reproducibility for the exposure and property 9.1.5 Light- and dark-water condensation or humidity cycle
measurement process. The reproducibility of the exposure/ employed.
property measurement process is then used to determine the 9.1.6 Operating black panel temperature.
minimum level of property after the exposure that is mutually 9.1.7 If required, operating relative humidity.
agreeable to all parties. 9.1.8 Type of spray nozzle, if used.
8.4.3 When reproducibility in results from an exposure test 9.1.8.1 If used, total solids and silica level of water used for
conducted in accordance with this practice has not been specimen spray (if above limits specified in Practice G 151).
established through round-robin testing, specify performance 9.1.9 Specimen repositioning procedure, if different from
requirements for materials in terms of comparison (ranked) to the procedure described in 7.4.
a control material. All specimens shall be exposed simulta- 9.1.10 Results of property tests. Calculate retention of
neously in the same device. All concerned parties must agree characteristic property in accordance with Practice D 5870
on the specific control material used. when it is reported.
8.4.3.1 Conduct analysis of variance to determine whether
any differences between test materials and control materials is 10. Precision and Bias
statistically significant. Expose replicates of the test specimen 10.1 Precision—The repeatability and reproducibility of
and the control specimen so that statistically significant per- results obtained in exposures conducted in accordance with this
formance differences can be determined practice will vary with the materials being tested, the material
NOTE 8—Fischer illustrates use of rank comparison between test and property being measured, and the specific test conditions and
control materials in specifications.9 cycles that are used. It is essential to determine reproducibility
NOTE 9—The ASTM Committee G-3 on Weathering and Durability is of the exposure/property measurement process when using the
developing a Standard Guide for Application of Basic Statistical Methods results from exposures conducted in accordance with this
to Weathering Tests, which will include examples showing use of analysis practice in product specifications.
of variance to compare materials.
10.2 Bias—Bias cannot be determined because no accept-
able standard weathering reference materials are available.
9
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

This section identifies the location of selected changes to this practice. For the convenience of the user,
Committee D–20 has highlighted those changes that may impact the use of this practice. This section may also
include descriptions of the changes or reasons for the changes, or both.

D 4329 – 99: (3) Added specific procedures for conditioning and handling
(1) Title changed. during the exposure test.
(2) Referenced new ASTM performance standard for fluores- (4) Revised section covering evaluation of results.
cent UV exposure tests. (5) De-emphasized use of a single required exposure time.

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 D 4329
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