Overview
ISO 29664:2010 - "Plastics - Artificial weathering including acidic deposition" specifies laboratory methods to evaluate plastics exposed to heavily polluted outdoor environments. The standard defines two exposure methods for reproducing the combined effects of UV radiation, heat, humidity, wetting and acidic deposition. It explicitly states that results are intended to evaluate materials under polluted conditions and cannot be used to predict absolute service life. The standard does not cover effects of special chemicals such as agrochemicals.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Two exposure methods
- Method A: for products where surface degradation dominates. Uses a strong acid spray (pH 1.5) applied in short pulses (typically once per day). Includes procedures to simulate very humid (tropical/subtropical) and more moderate climates.
- Method B: for products requiring deep penetration of acid (e.g., geotextiles). Uses weaker acid exposure (pH 3.5) integrated into the wet/rain phase over longer periods.
- Acid solution preparation
- A pH 1.5 solution is prepared by adding 10.6 g H2SO4, 3.18 g HNO3 and 1.80 g HCl to 10 litres of deionized water (mass ratio ~1.0:0.3:0.17). Dilutions produce pH 2.5 (1:10) and pH 3.5 (1:100) solutions.
- Apparatus and control
- Weathering devices conforming to ISO 4892-1 and either ISO 4892-2 (xenon-arc) or ISO 4892-3 (fluorescent UV).
- Radiant control requirements are specified (e.g., fluorescent UV control options at 340 nm or 290–400 nm bandpass; xenon arc options at 340 nm or 300–400 nm bandpass).
- Precise control of irradiance, temperature (including black standard temperature), relative humidity and wetting/spray systems is required. Water/acid quality and spray uniformity are mandated (e.g., silica