ASTM D 4587: Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings

One reason exterior coatings are so durable is because of the use of accelerated tests that simulate short wavelength UV and natural moisture. These tests allow coating manufacturers to determine in a relatively short period which formulae best hold up to outdoor exposures. ASTM D 4587, Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paints and Related Coatings, is one of these tests.

The UDRI Coatings group has six Q-UV test chambers used for these tests. Our use of these chambers to perform ASTM D 4587 is covered by the scope of our ISO 17025 certification. (Accreditation is certified by Laboratory Accreditation Bureau.)  The test chambers can be fitted with either UVA or UVB bulbs, depending upon the needs of the customer.  Standard settings are:

	UVA	UVB
Control wavelength	340 nm	310 nm
Irradiance	0.77 watts/m2	0.63 watts/m2
UV cycle	8 hours at 60oC	8 hours at 60oC
Condensation	4 hours at 50oC	4 hours at 50oC

Note: all temperatures are black panel controlled.

These cycles can be altered at the direction of the customer. Trained technicians monitor the instruments each workday to ensure that the temperatures are being maintained and every three weeks the irradiance of the bulbs is verified.
 
Periodic inspections/measurements of the test panels are performed in accordance with the test plan. For each panel, blisters and other film defects are noted by number and size.  If significant degradation of the coating is observed, the customer is notified. Interim color and gloss reading can be taken for each panel, as well as other measurements specified in the test plan.

After each interim reading, panels are repositioned to ensure uniform exposure of all panels.  After exposure is complete and final inspection/measurement of each panel is done, photos can be taken, if desired.

If you would like a quote on how much it would cost to test your samples, please contact UDRI's Bill Culhane or call 937-255-0955. 

Other UV Exposure Testing:

ASTM G 155 Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials