Meaning and use
4.1 The ability of plastic materials to resist deterioration of electrical, mechanical and optical properties due to exposure to light, heat and water is important for many applications. This practice is designed to cause changes in properties related to end-use conditions, including the effects of sunlight, moisture and heat. The exposures used in this practice are not intended to simulate deterioration caused by local weather phenomena, such as atmospheric pollution, biological attacks, and salt water exposure.

4.2 Precautions – Results may change when operating conditions vary within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, reference to the use of this practice must not be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with section 9 describing the specific operating conditions used. For more information about the precautions that apply to using results obtained under this practice, see Practice G151.

Note 2: For additional information on sources of variability and strategies to address variability in the design, execution, and data analysis of laboratory accelerated exposure tests, see Guide G141.

4.2.1 The spectral power distribution of light from an open flame carbon arc is significantly different from that produced by light and water exposure devices using other carbon arc configurations or other light sources. The type and rate of degradation and performance rankings produced by exposure to filtered open flame carbon arcs may be very different from those produced by exposure to other types of laboratory light sources.

4.2.2 Inter-laboratory comparisons are valid only if all laboratories use the same type of carbon arc, filters and exposure conditions.

ASTM D1499-2021 Practice for the Manipulation of Exposure and Water Blasting Devices (Carbon Arc Type) for Plastic Exposure

4.3 The reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when evaluating the stability of a material according to its performance class compared to other materials or controls. 5,6 Therefore, it is strongly recommended to expose similar materials with known properties (controls) at the same time as the test material. At least three repetitions of each material are recommended to enable statistical evaluation of the results.

4.4 Test results will depend on the degree of care taken to operate the equipment in accordance with practice G152. Important factors include regulation of line voltage, absence of salt or other water deposits, temperature and humidity control, and electrode conditions.

Radius
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions applicable to plastic exposure in filter open flame carbon arc installations conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G152. The practice also includes the preparation of the sample, the test conditions suitable for the plastic, and the evaluation of the test results.

1.2 This practice does not include closed carbon arc exposure of plastics, which is allowed by practice D1499. Closed carbon arc exposure of plastics is described in practice D6360 and G153, where the requirements for exposure of non-metallic materials in a closed carbon arc device are set forth.

ASTM D1499-2021 Practice for the Manipulation of Exposure and Water Blasting Devices (Carbon Arc Type) for Plastic Exposure

1.3 Values expressed in SI units shall be treated as standard values. The values in parentheses are for reference only.

1.4 This standard is not intended to address all safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of users of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory restrictions prior to use.

Note 1: This practice is technically equivalent to ISO 4892-4.

1.5 This international standard is based on internationally recognized standardization principles established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guidelines and Recommendations issued by the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.