Fiat Group MATERIAL STANDAR ACCELERATED AGING BY 50451 Automobiles ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS normazione Page: 1 of 10 | [ Date: 21 September 2009 PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD ‘The purpose of this standard is to describe the methods to be followed to determine behaviour under f accelerated aging by atmospheric agents. TTT Change | Dato Deseription of change + | Dee. 86 A. [dan.'89 09-21-09 Edition 6- Completely reviewed (MB) Reference to total irradiation energy added asan altemative to (BM) test duration in hours Edition 7- Completely reviewed and title changed (cL)50451 Page 2 ‘Change | §"A" : REFERENCE DOCUMENTSFiat Group Automobiles aS 50451 1 Purpose purpose of th jating in the effects of normal aging through exposure of the materials used in vehicle exteriors = pants, organic coatings, plastics and elastomers) to atmospheric agents, 14 Principle Aging can be simulated by three agents: «Light (composition and intensity of radiation) « Temperature Relative humidity At the end of testing, the extent to which characteristics like appearance, colour, adhesion have degraded with respect to their new state is evaluated, Test methods must be detemined on the basis of available equipment, test conditions and the materials to be tested. Tests vary in the extent to which they provoke effects comparable to those caused by normal use on vehicles, depending on the conditions under which they are performed, Itis therefore important to indicate clearly in the specifications for each material/treatmenticomponent the method and duration of testing if different from the values listed in the table below. The test conditions described below must be applied in the absence of instructions to the contrary. Table — Test methods and parameters. ‘Method Ufo on | Field of Duration | Light | Filter Iragiptea ‘Temperature | Relative vehicle | application | (*) source intensity | of black humidity panel (insulated) ‘Organic +600 Xenonare | BB 36 s002 | 6523°C 0% coatings ents (et voimat amorphous pez | 3400 plastes(e9 A Exenar | ABs, PC. Peo) elastomers Crstaline and | 2500 xenon ae | Be 036 +002 | 623°C 60% sem-crysialine fan ome 340 plasis (PA, fo. | nm BE) = Ma PAIMIA tooo pants | carton | porosteate | 095 20.02 | coe 3-c 0% 8 Exterior sowsao | are (eat ime 340 (Weather others n<290) | nm fometer) Note: (*) unless stated otherwise by specific standardPa 50451 Change 2 Overview of the construction characteristics of test equipment 24 Equipment 244 Test equipment must be made from a corrosion resistant material, and must be equipped with one or more sources of artificial light, a system of filters, sample holders, and @ device for monitoring test parameters (irradiation, temperature, humidity, etc.). 24.2 Irradiation, humidity and temperature must be evenly distributed inside the test chamber. 24.3 Irradiation at any point within the area used to expose samples must net vary by more than + 10 % from the arithmetic average of total irradiation over the entire area. 24.4 The ozone generated by the functioning of lamps must be extracted by a suitable ventilation system. 245 The temperature and relative humidity of air inside the test chamber must be monitored by ‘sensors that are protected against direct radiation. Only demineralised or distiled water must be used to maintain relative humidity at the specified value. 216 Tanks, pipes and spray nozzles must be made from corrosion resistant materials. 24.7 ‘Water must conform to the requirements of ISO 3696, Conductivity < 2uSfem Dry residue < 1 ppm Temperature between 10 and 15 °C pH7=0.5 218 Test equipment must be fitted with a device for uniformly spraying samples inside the chamber (Water pressure at nozzles 1 to 1.5 bar). 24.9 ‘Temperature and black panel The black panel for detecting and maintaining temperature inside the chamber must be made from a plate of black coloured metal Note: Measured temperatures correspond approximately to the temperature of black or dark samples. The temperatures of light coloured samples tend to be lower, as does the real temperature of air inside the chamber.Fiat Group Automobiles 50451 21.10 Radiometer Irradiation of the samples inside the chamber must be monitored by a suitable control device. ‘Some test equipment is fitted with a dedicated radiometer accessory for autocalibration. Autocalibration is performed at 340 nm (Methods A and B) 2441 ‘Sample holders made from an inert material must be provided to ensure correct positioning of the samples inside the chamber. In some test equipment it is possible to expose three- dimensional samples to aging while still ensuring a minimum distance from light sources. 24.12 ‘Test equipment must be installed in well ventilated areas that are free from dust and other potentially aggressive agents. Conventional single light source Static multiple light source equipment rotary equipment Fig. 1 The inside ofa test chamber with xenon light sources50451 22 Light source The light source may comprise one or more lamps emitting radiation between the UV and IR frequencies. The intensity and spectral distribution of the light must be kept constant to ensure correct performance of the test. 224 The aging of lamps causes variations in the relative spectral distribution of the light with consequent variations in test results. Lamps must therefore be changed regularly according tothe instuctions provided by the equipment manufacturer, 2.2.2 Xenon lamp (method A) This type of light source consists of a xenon lamp with an emission spectrum that reproduces direct sunlight (according to CIE 85, table 4). 22.3 Carbon arc lamps with or without additional UV lamps (method B) This type of light source consists of 2 voltaic ares generated between two 2 pairs of carbon electrodes in air (carbon arc lamps). Voltage between the ends of the arc lamp electrodes must be maintained between 130 and 145 V, and current maintained between 11 and 13 A throughout the test. 2.2.3.4 Two mercury vapour lamps (Philips HPK 125 W) complete with reactors, may also be added. These must be replaced every 2000 hours of functioning. eK a5Fiat Group Automobiles ae 50451 223.2 ‘The lamp must be changed after 2000 hours of use. Only the extemal filter must be cleaned, using cotton weol damped in deionized water, and then dried, 2233 Equipment fitted with carbon arc lamps can be left to run unsupervised from 9:00 to 8:00 on the next day (total 23 hours). The remaining hour (from 8:00 to 9:00) must be reserved for maintenance, (changing parts, cleaning lamps, etc.) Filtered Carbon Arc vs. Sunlight a0 © suntignt @ Enclosed Carbon Are u a (Wn? fam) 12 Anat ‘Wavelength (a Fig. 4 Spectral distribution of irradiance from a carbon arc lamp, 23 Bilters. 23. Radiation emitted by xenon jight sources must be Titered by speciai fters to produce a spectral composition and distribution similar to natural light (CIE 85, table 4) at the surface of the sample holder. Wavelength (Wim “inm) adiation from a xenon lamp with fiters, Fig. 5 Spectral distribution of50451 2.3.2 ‘The most commonly used filters differ in composition and selectivity within the UV range. Note: Quartz (daylight) titers absorp radiation with 7, < 295 nm and produce radiant spectrum with a composition very similar to that of direct sunlight. Borosilicate/borosilicate (B/B) fiters absorb radiation with 7, < 290 nm. These filters are therefore recommended to obtain a better correlation between multiple light ‘source equipment and single light source equipment with a rotating drum. Special filters are also available to obtain more aggressive spectra. Extended UV Boro-Quartz filters give a 2 275 nm. Extended UV Quartz filters give a 2< 250 nm. 23.3 Filters must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 2.3.4 Filters for carbon are lamps Carbon are lamps require boro: they start to lose their transparency. 24 Test conditions ‘Summary of test parameter settings. te fiters. These filters require daily careful cleaning with Parameter Method A Method B Temperature of black panel (°C) 6523 e023 Temperature of air in chamber (°C) 4023 4023 CYCLE Lamp functioning continuous: continuous: Humidifying time (spray + light) 78 mins 16 mins Drying + light time 702 mins 64 mins, Relative humidity during drying (2) 60 €0 244 If the test equipment allows, the total exposure to radiant energy can be set as a parameter instead of exposure time, according to the following equation Radiant exposure = irradiance * 3.6 hours Kolm ? = (Wreim’) 710%, so that KJim? = (W"h)/(3.6" m*) Note: The use of different irradiance levels makes it impossible to correlate aging effects.Fiat Group Automobiles ge 50451 25 TEST EXECUTION Test conditions (environment outside the ec ‘Temperature: 2123°C Atmospheric pressure: 860 to 1060 mbar Relative humidity: 45 to 60% 251 Test samples may be obtained from flat platesipieces, prepared under defined and agreed conditions or obtained directly from real parts. 2.5.2 if the samples are obtained from machined parts, always use the flattest surface to avoid areas too near the light source. If the test equipment does not permit the testing of three dimensional samples, keep the total thickness of samples below 4 to 5 mm. Important: Do not use copper or brass wires to secure samples inside the test chamber. 25.3 Place the samples in the dedicated sample holders or arrange and secure them so that they are fully exposed to the irradiation. Test at least 2 samples for every level of aging. 25.4 Set the required test parameters and switch on the test equipment. 25.5 The test must be completed without interruption, unless it has to be conducted in a number of stages, or unless a specific standard dictates otherwise. Interruptions are permitted only for cleaning and changing/calibrating lamps or filters, correct performance of the test. To ensure this, make sure that the lamps are calibrated at regular intervals, 25.7 To ensure the correct execution of method B tests, move the test samples from the bottom of the drum to the top and vice versa during the intervals (§ p. 2.2.4.3). Leave the test equipment inactive with the samples inside it during non-working days. 25.8 ‘On completion of the test, wash the samples under a jet of running water before evaluating the results. 2.5.9 Plastics/elastomers Rub the aged surface with cotton damped in water for 10 minutes, applying light pressure. Dry with a jet of air. Assess the extent of aging using the grey scale (§ ISO 105). The acceptability limit is grade 4on the scale. Alternatively apply the criteria given in the relevant specification.50451 2.5.10 Organic coatings/paints At the end of the acing test, evaluate the conditions of the samples after 2 hours of re~ conditioning at ambient temperature. 25.101 Measure adhesion according to method 50461 and brilliance according to method 50457 after gently polishing the surface with a polishing paste. Compare results with the limits prescribed in the relevant "Product Technical Sheet", Note: In the case of finishes with a new brilliance= — < 70 gloss, measure brilliance without polishing the surface of the sample. 2.5.10.2 Limits ‘Adhesion: Ad 0-1. No alterations or variations in the colour of the coating are permitted. No variations in the clear anat are permitted for paris painted in 9 eaats Brilliance: For gloss or semi-matt finishes, a variation in brilliance of + 5% with respect to the new value is permitted. For matt finishes, a variation in brilliance of # 3% with respect to the new value is permitted. Colour. only slight chromatic variation is permitted. 2.5.10.3 For a more accurate evaluation of test results refer to the specifications for the coating/material/part