Test method 08
Testing under natural weather conditions
What does this mean for you?
You can check how a product behaves not under simulated conditions, but during real, long-term exposure to the weather.
- Standard
- PN-EN 927-3, in-house modification
- Specimens
- 4, 375 × 78 × 20 mm
- Exposure
- south-facing racks, 45° angle
- Test duration
- 1 year, assessments after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months
Method description
The test makes it possible to check how a material, a coating and adhesive joints behave during long-term exposure to real weather conditions – moisture, solar radiation and changing temperatures.
The test panels are mounted on special south-facing racks at an angle of 45°, at a height of approximately 1 m. Three specimens remain outdoors for the entire test period, while the fourth specimen, which serves as the reference for comparison, is stored in a conditioning room.
During the test, the following are analysed:
- changes in mass
- changes in thickness
- development of cracks
- coating flaking
- changes in gloss
- colour changes
- resistance of the adhesive bond line to weather conditions
- mould growth
The test makes it possible to observe changes that occur gradually over the whole year and to compare the specimens exposed outdoors with the reference specimen stored under controlled conditions.
Business impact: greater confidence when selecting materials and protection for exterior applications, the possibility of detecting durability problems earlier and a reduced risk of complaints after the product's market launch.
Test specimens
The test requires 4 specimens with the following dimensions:
375 ± 2 × 78 ± 3 × 20 ± 2 mm
Three specimens are subjected to natural weathering, while the fourth serves as the reference specimen and is stored in a conditioning room.
The test lasts 1 year, and observations and assessments are carried out after:
- 1 month
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 12 months
Benefit: instead of a single final assessment, you are able to observe when and how changes begin to appear and how they progress over time.
Test standard
The test is carried out according to a modified PN-EN 927-3 method.
The method uses natural outdoor exposure and makes it possible to assess the real changes occurring in the material and its surface during long-term exposure to weathering factors.
Benefit: you receive data from real exposure, which can be a valuable complement to the results of accelerated laboratory tests.
Applications of the test method
Construction
Assessment of the durability of materials, surfaces and coatings intended for elements exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
Building joinery
Testing the behaviour of protective coatings and wooden materials used in exterior elements exposed to moisture, solar radiation and changing temperatures.
Furniture industry and outdoor furniture
Assessment of changes occurring in materials and coatings used in furniture and other products intended for outdoor use.
Wood industry and manufacturers of wood-based materials
Verification of the durability of materials, coatings and adhesive joints during long-term natural exposure.
Manufacturers of paints, varnishes and protective coatings
Comparison of the durability of different surface protection systems and observation of changes in colour, gloss, cracking and flaking during real outdoor exposure.
Manufacturers of adhesives and adhesive systems
Assessment of the behaviour of adhesive bond lines during long-term exposure to moisture, solar radiation and changing temperatures.
R&D and new product development
Comparison of different material variants, technologies, coatings and adhesive systems, and verification of their behaviour under real weather conditions.
The test makes it possible to:
- assess the durability of coatings under natural exposure conditions
- assess resistance to moisture, solar radiation and changing temperatures
- observe changes in the mass and thickness of the material
- assess the development of cracks and coating flaking
- analyse changes in gloss and colour
- assess the behaviour of the adhesive bond line under weather conditions
- observe mould growth
- compare the specimens exposed outdoors with the reference specimen
- track changes in the material after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months
You check the durability of a product under real weather conditions and observe its behaviour over a full year – not just in a laboratory simulation.
Contact
Let's talk about your research challenge.
Describe the scope; we will select the method, plan the test and confirm the terms of cooperation.