Natural Weathering

Natural Weathering is defined as an exposure to direct sunlight and other elements of weather. Some other synonyms are direct weathering or outdoor weathering, exterior or atmospheric exposure.

There are many different kinds how to exposure. Typically smaller material samples are mounted on exposure racks. Larger specimen or products are exposed in their normal orientation or fixture.

There are open-backed exposures and backed exposures. The difference between theses two is that the backed exposure is potentially 15 °C higher than the other one because of the substrate material (typical for automotive parts, window frames or construction materials)

There are also “Black Box Exposures” which simulate the air heat-sink characteristics of an automobile body. “Indirect Exposures” are mostly exposed inside and is used to determine the colourfastness characteristics of household materials and interior automotive parts (“under glass weathering”)

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