ISO 4892-2

ISO 4892-2 is the second part of ISO 4892, a guideline that describes how samples should be exposed to laboratory light sources.

The test method described in ISO 4892-2 is the so-called xenon test, also known as weatherometer or lightfastness test. The xenon test quickly demonstrates the resistance of plastics to weather conditions such as sunlight and rain. Therefore, this method of testing according to 4892-2 is also called artificial accelerated weathering.

Direct sunlight or filtered (behind glass)?

In the Xenon test according to ISO 4892-2 (also called lightfastness test or weatherometer test), samples are placed in a test chamber and exposed to light from a xenon-arc lamp. This light is filtered in such a way that only the light relevant to the product under test is allowed through. The main filter types are daylight filters and window glass filters.

Daylight filters provide product exposure with a spectrum that closely matches the sunlight spectrum. Window glass filters provide a light spectrum that corresponds to sunlight passing through a standard window. This means that UV light, which causes most damage to plastics, does not reach the samples.

Dry, with water spray or immersion

To simulate reality, ISO 4892-2 allows for the samples to be wetted periodically. This can be done using a spray method or immersion in water. The quality of the water used must meet strict requirements. For more details, see ISO 4892-1.

Relative humidity

Because humidity plays a role in the aging of plastics under the influence of light, the xenon test according to ISO 4892-2 can be performed with or without humidity control. The controlled humidity variant requires a different type of device. At M2LAB, we have multiple accelerated weathering chambers with and without humidity control.

Test cycles

ISO 4892-2 describes different test cycles that can be applied in one of its chapters. Cycles can consist of multiple phases. These phases can vary in duration, temperature, irradiation, and humidity.

Irradiance

Cycle no.	Exposure	Irradiance	Black Standard Temperature (°C)	Chamber Temperature (°C)	Relative humidity
A1	102 min dry + 18 min water spray	60 ± 2	0.51 ± 2	65 ± 3	38 ± 3
A2	Continuous dry (Exposure with window filters)	50 ± 2	1.1 ± 0.02	65 ± 3	38 ± 3
A3	Continuous dry	50 ± 2	1.1 ± 0.02	100 ± 3	65 ± 3
B1	102 min dry + 18 min water spray	60 ± 2	0.51 ± 2	65 ± 3	not regulated
B2	Continuous dry	50 ± 2	1.1 ± 0.02	65 ± 3	not regulated
B3	Continuous dry	50 ± 2	1.1 ± 0.02	100 ± 3	not regulated

Test duration

ISO 4892-2 does not specify how long the test should last or the correlation between the number of hours of xenon testing and real-world exposure.

Exposure with window filters (window glass) is also included. Other parts of the ISO 4892 standard are:

ISO 4892-1: General description of the guideline
ISO 4892-3: Fluorescent lamps (QUV test)
ISO 4892-4: Open flame carbon-arc lamps

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