Definitions for "Accelerated weathering"
Man-made methods to simulate the exterior environment in an intensified manner in an effort to duplicate or reproduce actual weather conditions in order to test the exterior durability of coatings and materials. A testing procedure used by coatings and resin manufacturers to assimilate exterior exposure by the use of condensation, water spray, temperature variation and high intensity ultra violet light. The three most commonly used methods are carbon arc, xenon and fluorescent UV condensation types. ASTM publishes a number of related test methods.
A means whereby the deterioration caused by outdoor exposure may be accelerated and reproduced in the laboratory.
The process in which materials are exposed to a controlled environment where various phenomena, such as heat, water, condensation and light are altered to magnify their effects, thereby accelerating the weathering process. The physical properties that result from this exposure are then measured and compared to those of the original, unexposed material.