Group standard PV 1200

Issue 2019-10
Class. No.: 50321

Descriptors: climatic chamber, environmental cycle load, environmental cycle resistance, environmental cycle test,
temperature cycle test

Vehicle Parts
Testing the Environmental Cycle Resistance (80 °C/-40 °C)

Previous issues
PV 1200: 1972-10, 1987-02, 2004-10

Changes
The following changes have been made to PV 1200: 2004-10:
a) Standard changed to current layout
b) Section 1 "Scope" modified
c) Figure 1 revised to make language-neutral
d) Technical responsibility updated
e) Standard edited

1 Scope
This Test Specification (PV) describes an environmental cycle test (elevated temperature/low tem-
perature cycle) for testing vehicle part assemblies and prepared samples from units, e.g., from ve-
hicle parts in the engine compartment.
The behavior of the units and/or parts during environmental cycle load must be assessed by
means of cycling temperature and humidity (e.g., susceptibility to cracks, deformation, separation
of connections of all types).
The purpose of the test requirements (e.g., temperature -40 °C) is to uncover component weak-
nesses in a short-term test with accelerated time effect. These are not basic requirements that the
part must fulfill for long-term operation.

Always use the latest version of this standard.

This electronically generated standard is authentic and valid without signature. A comma is used as the decimal sign. Page 1 of 3
The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies, the German version controls.

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© Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft VWNORM-2019-10
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PV 1200: 2019-10

The following parameters apply to genuine leather and parts covered with genuine leather:
– 60 min heating to 70 °C and 70% relative humidity
– 240 min hold time at 70 °C and 70% relative humidity

2 Requirements
For requirements, please refer to the pertinent Technical Supply Specification (TL) and/or drawing.

3 Designation
Example of a drawing note:
100 cycles as per PV 1200 without functional restriction

4 Testing

4.1 Procedure
Control the temperature to within ±2 °C and the relative humidity to within ±5%.
Bring the climatic chamber to room temperature (23 °C) and 30% relative humidity before inserting
the sample.
Always adhere to the hold times. Cooling and heating phases may be varied depending on the per-
formance of the climatic chamber. State any deviations in the test record.
One cycle (see figure 1) lasts for 720 min (12 h) and comprises the following temperature and hu-
midity profiles:
– 60 min Heating phase
to 80 °C and 80% relative humidity
– 240 min Hold time
at 80 °C and 80% relative humidity
– 120 min Cooling phase
to -40 °C, upon reaching the freezing point: approx. 30% relative humidity,
from T < 0 °C the humidity is no longer controlled (depending on the test
system, stop of humidity control is also permissible at T < 10 °C)
– 240 min Hold time
at -40 °C, humidity remains uncontrolled
– 60 min Heating phase
to 23 °C, from T = 0 °C relative humidity is controlled to 30%
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PV 1200: 2019-10

Legend
Temperature T Temperature
Relative humidity t Time
Relative humidity, uncontrolled φ Relative humidity
Figure 1 – Test cycle PV 1200