Why this test matters
Sunlight alone can fade, crack, or weaken a material long before anything else touches it. UV radiation breaks down the molecular structure of coatings, plastics, and other surfaces, causing color change, chalking, or loss of mechanical strength over years of outdoor use. The UV weathering test reproduces exactly that kind of light-driven degradation in a controlled chamber, so you see years of sun exposure compressed into weeks. It applies to coatings, plastics, and any material or product that needs to hold its appearance and performance under prolonged sunlight.
How the test works
We offer two methods, depending on what you need to simulate. The QUV test uses fluorescent lamps to reproduce the damaging UV fraction of sunlight, with dew and moisture simulated through condensation or water spray; it's the simplest, most widely used method for evaluating UV degradation and moisture resistance. The WOM (Weather-Ometer) test uses a Xenon-Arc lamp combined with filters to reproduce the full spectrum of natural sunlight more closely, which makes it the better choice when color and visible-light degradation matter. Samples are mounted flat, up to 20 mm thick, in steel holders that form the wall of the chamber; a standard unit holds up to 48 samples at 75 by 150 mm, with larger holders available on request.
What you learn from this test
You get a clear picture of how sunlight alone affects your material: color change, gloss loss, cracking, chalking, or loss of mechanical properties, tracked at defined intervals over the exposure period. This lets you compare coating or material formulations, validate outdoor durability claims, and choose UV stabilizers or protective treatments with confidence, before your product spends a single day in the sun.
