Integrating Sphere Sources for UV Exposure: A Novel Approach to the Artificial UV Weathering of Coatings, Plastics and Composites

Published

December 1, 2001

Author(s)

Joannie W. Chin, Walter E. Byrd, E Embree, Jonathan W. Martin

Abstract

The primary method for obtaining laboratory weathering data for a wide range of commercial polymer products including coatings, textiles, elastomers, plastics and polymeric composites is through the use of ultraviolet radiation exposure chambers (UV chambers). Although numerous improvements have been made in the design of UV chambers over the last 80 years, the repeatability and reproducibility of the exposure results from these chambers have remained elusive. This lack of reproducibility and repeatability is attributed to systematic errors in their design, operation, and control which, in turn, has prevented comparisons of the performance of materials exposed in the same environment, comparisons of the performance of the same material exposed in different laboratories, and the comparison of field and laboratory results. This paper describes an innovative UV chamber design having a basis in integrating sphere technology that greatly reduces the magnitude of these errors, as well as provides additional experimental capabilities.

Proceedings Title

Service Life Prediction in Organic Coatings; Methodology and Meterologies, International Symposium | 2nd |Service Life Prediction: Methodology and Metrologies | American Chemical Society

Volume

805

Conference Dates

November 1, 1999

Conference Title

ACS Symposium Series

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

integrating sphere, ultraviolet radiation, uv chambers

Citation

Chin, J. , Byrd, W. , Embree, E. and Martin, J. (2001), Integrating Sphere Sources for UV Exposure: A Novel Approach to the Artificial UV Weathering of Coatings, Plastics and Composites, Service Life Prediction in Organic Coatings; Methodology and Meterologies, International Symposium | 2nd |Service Life Prediction: Methodology and Metrologies | American Chemical Society, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860254 (Accessed April 25, 2024)