What is the ISO 4892-3 "Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 3: Fluorescent UV lampsISO 4892-3: Plastics — Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources — Part 3: Fluorescent UV LampsISO 4892-3 specifies methods for exposing plastic materials to
fluorescent UV lamps in laboratory conditions. The test simulates the effects of sunlight and moisture on plastic materials to evaluate their weathering resistance.
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Purpose of ISO 4892-3- Provides a controlled environment to test the durability of plastics against UV radiation and moisture.
- Simulates real-world conditions like sunlight, rain, and dew in a laboratory setting.
- Assesses material degradation, including:
- Color fading or changes,
- Gloss loss,
- Cracking or crazing,
- Mechanical property deterioration.
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Key Features| Feature | Details |
| Light Source | Fluorescent UV lamps emitting UVA (315–400 nm) or UVB (280–315 nm). |
| Moisture Simulation | Simulates dew and rain using condensation or water spray. |
| Environmental Cycles | Alternating cycles of UV exposure and moisture exposure. |
| Temperature Control | Test chamber conditions are controlled to prevent overheating. |
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Types of UV Lamps- UVA-340 Lamps: Simulate short-wavelength UV light in natural sunlight.
- UVB-313 Lamps: Emit higher-energy UV light for accelerated testing (may overestimate damage).
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Test Procedure- Specimen Preparation: Plastics are cut into standard-sized specimens and cleaned before testing.
- Exposure Cycles: Alternating:
- UV Exposure: Typically 4-8 hours under fluorescent UV lamps.
- Moisture Exposure: 4 hours of condensation or water spray.
- Test Duration: Specimens are exposed for a specified number of hours (e.g., 500, 1000, 2000 hours).
- Evaluation: After exposure, specimens are assessed for:
- Color or gloss changes,
- Cracking or crazing,
- Mechanical property degradation.
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Applications| Industry | Examples |
| Automotive | Exterior trims, dashboards, headlights. |
| Construction | Pipes, panels, roofing materials. |
| Consumer Goods | Outdoor furniture, packaging. |
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Advantages of ISO 4892-3 Testing- Controlled Conditions: Reproducible results in a laboratory environment.
- Accelerated Testing: Faster assessment compared to natural weathering.
- Wide Applicability: Suitable for research, development, and quality control.
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Limitations- Over-Simplification: Real-world factors like pollution or biological growth are not included.
- High-Energy UVB Lamps: May overestimate the degradation for some plastics.
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ISO 4892 Series Overview| Part | Light Source |
| ISO 4892-1 | General principles of testing. |
| ISO 4892-2 | Xenon-arc lamps (simulate full sunlight). |
| ISO 4892-3 | Fluorescent UV lamps. |
| ISO 4892-4 | Open-flame carbon-arc lamps. |
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https://www.wewontech.com/testing-standards/190302001.pdf (https://www.wewontech.com/testing-standards/190302001.pdf)