Are your products facing different environmental challenges? Element’s diverse range of accelerated weathering testing services helps ensure that your products and materials meet the expected functionality and lifetime. Assess material durability, performance, and longevity, instilling confidence in your product's performance through Element's expert testing.

 

What is Accelerated Weathering Testing? 

It’s not practical to wait 10+ years to determine if a material or a product is suitable for a real-world environment. Accelerated weathering mimics real-world conditions, providing insights into product performance without the wait. 

It can help assess coating and material resistance to potential environmental damage, or the impact of prolonged exposure, minimizing the risk of costly premature failures. Element provides a range of accelerated weathering testing as well as mechanical testing to assess the coating/materials' ability to meet the long-term requirements of a particular environment.

 

Key Benefits of Accelerated Weathering Testing for You 

  • Protection Against all Environmental Factors: Our testing methods cover both indoor and outdoor environmental scenarios, so you can be confident your product is fully assessed for various climatic conditions.
  • Create Better, More Durable Products: We investigate any imperfections that arise due to testing – from color changes and cracking to corrosion, empowering you to understand how to assess and enhance your product’s durability, quality, and safety.
  • Meet Industry Standards: Our tests and evaluations are aligned with global ISO, ASTM, or NACE standards, offering you an audit trail for potential questions or litigation.
  • Bespoke Solutions by Experts: Tailor-made projects and solutions designed by our experts to meet your unique project requirements.
  • Versatile Materials Testing: From paint, coatings, sealants, fabrics, and automotive components, our accelerated weathering test services evaluate the performance of a wide array of materials.
  • Specialists in Coatings Approvals and Performance: Leverage our expertise in accelerated weathering to determine your product's suitability to meet environmental impacts.

 

Realistic Simulation for Faster Results 

With specialized environmental equipment such as salt sprays, UV cabinets, and environmental chambers, accelerated weathering brings you valuable performance information faster than waiting for real-world data. It allows you to make informed decisions for reliable and long-lasting products and determine their resilience against the natural forces they will encounter throughout their lifetime.

 

Time-Saving All-in-One Material Testing Efficiency

Beyond standard accelerated weathering tests like UV, Xenon Arc, and Carbon Arc, we offer diverse tests, including Paint and Coating Testing, Salt Spray, Salt Fog, Corrosion Testing, Chemical resistance, high temperature, and cryogenic exposure. At Element, we address all your material challenges in one place, saving you time and ensuring a thorough evaluation for a deeper understanding of your materials' performance.

“At Element, we work in partnership with our clients to ensure testing performed meets their individual needs. Our experts can help guide clients through the complexities of new and old standards and assist in designing test programs.  With our centers of excellence, we offer a one-stop shop for your testing needs.”

Stuart Sharman

Technical Manager

Our Accelerated Weathering Testing Capabilities

Element offers a full range of accelerated laboratory testing services, including but not limited to:

  • Salt spray (neutral (NSS), acetic acid (AASS), and copper accelerated (CASS)
  • UV testing which can include pure UV, set temperature, condensation, and water spray control
  • Xenon which can include pure xenon, humidity, temperature control
  • Xenon Arc - ideal for applications where high-quality finishes in paints and coatings are crucial, especially when facing elevated levels of UV degradation
  • Carbon Arc - evaluates a product's resistance to deterioration in electrical, mechanical, and optical properties when exposed to light and heat
  • Climate chambers to control temperatures and humidity and can be set to various levels and ramp rates 
  • Cathodic disbondment both impressed and sacrificial anode
  • Immersion in various fluids
  • Pre-fire testing accelerated weathering (Hydrocarbon and Cellulosic)
  • Cryogenic exposure
  • Thermal exposure

 

Why Choose Element? 

Element is ISO 17025 accredited with testing on scope from accreditation bodies in various geographic locations, (UKAS – UK, RvA – Netherlands, A2LA – USA). 

We operate a global network of fully equipped laboratories in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia providing a wide range of accelerated weathering testing and more. Our Amsterdam center of excellence offers most of the industry-required weathering testing as well as mechanical, analytical, and electrochemical tests, positioning us as your single source provider for all your testing requirements.

Backed by many years of accelerated weathering testing experience, we will ensure your products are tested to the highest standards, and meet and exceed industry benchmarks, enhancing your brand's credibility for a competitive edge.

At Element, we're not just about testing; we're about ensuring your products stand the test of time. 

To learn more about Element’s credentials, please visit our About Us page. Contact us today to experience excellence in accelerated weathering testing tailored to your unique needs. 

Element provides accelerated weathering testing to many common industry standards, including those shown below, as well as custom specifications:

AMPP 

AMPP TM 21612

American Society for Testing & Materials

ASTM C793-05, ASTM D1171, ASTM D1499, ASTM D2126, ASTM D2247, ASTM D2565, ASTM D4329, ASTM D4355, ASTM D4459, ASTM D4587, ASTM D4674, ASTM D4798/D4798M, ASTM D5071, ASTM D5208, ASTM D5427, ASTM D5894, ASTM D6521-13, ASTM D6551, ASTM D6695, ASTM D7869, ASTM E408, ASTM E773, ASTM F1980, ASTM F1980-16, ASTM G147, ASTM G151-55

British European Standards

BS 7976-2, BS EN 1062-11, EN 16623

Defence Standards

MIL STD 810E, MIL STD 810F

EAD 

EAD 350402-00-1106, EAD 350140-00-1106

General Motors Company Specifications

GM9327P, GMW 14124

International Organization for Standardization

ISO 105 B02, ISO 105 B06, ISO 11507, ISO 12944-6, ISO 12944-9, ISO 16474-1, ISO 16474-3, ISO 20340, ISO 4892-2, ISO 4892-3, ISO 15711, ISO 19277, ISO 21809-1, ISO 21809-2, ISO 21809-3, ISO 11503

NACE 

NACE TM0304, NACE TM0404, NACE TM 0185

NORSOK

NORSOK M-501

OEM Specifications 

FORD FLTM BO 116-01, Honda HES D6601, NISSAN NES M0135, Peugeot PSA D47 1431, Toyota TSH1585G, VW PV1303

Society of Automotive Engineers

SAE J1885, SAE J1960, SAE J2020, SAE J2412, SAE J2527, SAE J575

VGBE

VGBE-S-021-02-2023-05

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