Integrating Sphere Sources for UV Exposure: A Novel Approach to the Artificial UV Weathering of Coatings, Plastics and Composites.
Integrating Sphere Sources for UV Exposure: A Novel
Approach to the Artificial UV Weathering of Coatings,
Plastics and Composites.
(1774 K)
Chin, J. W.; Byrd, E.; Embree, E. J.; Martin, J. W.
Service Life Prediction: Methodology and Metrologies.
Proceedings. American Chemical Society Symposium Series
805. 2002, American Chemical Society, Martin, J. W.;
Bauer, D. R., Editor(s)(s), 144-160 pp, 2002.
Keywords:
coatings; plastics; composite materials; ultraviolet
radiation; uv chambers; integrating sphere; exposure
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.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899