Overview
ISO 5685:2022 - Road vehicles - Testing the abrasion resistance of automotive glazing with the windscreen wiper test - specifies a laboratory method to determine how glazing surfaces resist abrasion caused by wiper rubbers acting on a standardized test dust suspension. The test simulates real-world wear from windscreen wipers and dirt (e.g., sand), and evaluates surface deterioration by measuring the increase in haze after defined wiping cycles.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: A wiper rubber mounted on a moving carriage repeatedly wipes a glazing specimen wetted with a standardized aqueous test dust suspension; surface wear is quantified by haze increase.
- Test cycles: An individual test subjects a test piece to 20 000 wiping cycles; a complete test typically comprises three individual tests (one may be repeated under certain conditions).
- Apparatus essentials:
- Moving carriage with forward/back motion at (37 ± 2) cycles/min.
- Stroke length (half wiping cycle) (130 ± 5) mm.
- Wiper bridge with self-supporting arms set at (45 ± 5)°.
- Wiper rubber holders sized to apply (15 ± 0.5) g per cm of rubber length.
- Specimen boxes, spacer plates, stainless-steel basin and wiping cycle counter.
- Haze measurement device (haze meter) for initial and final haze readings.
- Specimen preparation and handling: Cleaning, conditioning, and correct mounting on spacer plates to ensure the test surface and specimen-box bottom are level.
- Environmental conditions: Tests performed at (20 ± 5) °C, atmospheric pressure 86–106 kPa, and relative humidity (60 ± 20) %.
- Evaluation & reporting: Measure initial and final haze; report results, apparatus settings, specimen details and any observed chatter marks or non-uniform abrasion. Annexes include sample report templates and round-robin reproducibility data.
Practical applications and users
ISO 5685:2022 is essential for:
- Automotive glazing manufacturers validating durability and surface treatments (coatings, hardcoats).
- OEMs and suppliers specifying and accepting glazing components for windscreens and other panes.
- Independent test laboratories performing standardized abrasion resistance testing and certification.
- R&D and quality assurance teams comparing materials, wiper designs, and cleaning agents; assessing real-world performance related to visibility and optical clarity.
Practical outcomes include improved product durability, substantiated warranty claims, materials selection, and compliance with vehicle visibility and safety requirements.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 5685:2022, windscreen wiper test, abrasion resistance, automotive glazing, haze measurement, test dust, wiper rubber, road vehicles.