JIS D 0205 Weatherability Test Method for Automotive Parts

The standard "JIS D 0205 Weather resistance test method for automotive parts" developed by the Japanese Industrial Standards Organization (JIS) describes test methods for determining the weather resistance of automotive parts made of plastics, synthetic leathers, textiles, vulcanized rubbers and similar materials, and automotive parts that have been processed with surface treatments and are prone to deterioration in weather resistance. The types of parts to which this standard will apply are agreed upon by the parties involved in acceptance.

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

• Weatherability refers to resistance to degradation from natural environments, primarily sunlight, rain and snow, temperature, humidity, and ozone.
• Light resistance, among weather resistances, refers to resistance to deterioration from sunlight, temperature and moisture.
• Ozone resistance, among weather resistances, refers to the resistance of rubber to cracking due to ozone.
• Open air exposure test is the test method in which weather resistance, light resistance and ozone resistance are investigated under natural environmental conditions.
• Accelerated testing is a test method in which weatherability, light resistance and ozone resistance are investigated under accelerated conditions close to natural environments.
• Migratory stain is the property of discoloration of the exterior surfaces of painted films, exterior parts, synthetic leathers, plastics and others caused by rubber parts, adhesives, plastics and others used in contact with them.
• Synthetic leather is a general term for surface covering materials such as vinyl chloride leather and vinyl chloride sheet, which are close to natural leather in appearance and function.

The test types are classified as open air exposure test and accelerated test according to the apparatus used and the situation given in the table given in the standard. In addition, these tests are applied to the classification of service environments as given in the table. According to this table, the classification and test types are as follows:

• Outdoor exposure test
  • Outdoor weathering test (direct exposure test, black box exposure test)
  • Outdoor lightfastness test (under glass exposure test, under glass black box exposure test)
  • Open air ozone resistance test
• Accelerated testing
  • Accelerated weathering test (sunlight carbon arc lamp weathering test)
  • Accelerated light resistance test (sunlight carbon arc lamp light resistance test, ultraviolet rays carbon arc lamp light resistance test)
  • Accelerated ozone resistance test

The classification of the service environment is shown in another table provided in the standard as follows:

• Environment where parts are exposed to direct light (standard, high temperature)
• Environment where parts are exposed to light passing through glass (standard, high temperature
• Environment where parts are not exposed to light but are subject to the influence of light

According to this standard, the test units should be:

• Test units should generally be parts.
• Where conditions are not suitable for testing, the test pieces given in the table may be used. However, if they have to be cut from the parts, their thickness must be the same as that of the parts.
• The number of units to be tested at one time should preferably be three pieces or more.
• For ease of comparison before and after testing, one or more pieces from the same batch as the test piece should be set aside as preserved samples for periodic observation and measurement after testing.

When performing outdoor weatherability testing, the test site where the test equipment will be installed should be a well-ventilated place with suitable environmental conditions for weatherability testing on test pieces, and the surroundings should be free from trees, buildings and facilities that will adversely affect the exposure conditions of the test pieces. The annual average temperature of the test site should preferably be 14 degrees or above.

The test apparatus should be:

• The relevant elements and hardware of the test apparatus frame should be treated with appropriate anti-corrosion treatment.
• In the test apparatus, an integrating actinometer for measuring the amount of solar radiation should be installed in accordance with:
  • An integrating actinometer capable of measuring the total radiant energy of sunlight should be used.
  • The light-receiving surface of the integrated actinometer should be at the same angle as the mounting surface of the test pieces.
  • Dust adhering to the light-receiving surface of the integrated actinometer should be properly cleaned, usually once a day.
• Insulators, stop pins and the like, usually made of plastic, should be used as mounting tools for test pieces.
• The structure of the test device should be as follows:
  • In the case of direct exposure testing, the test device shall be a direct exposure device specified in the JIS Z 2381 standard. An example of the device is included in the annex of the standard.
  • In the case of a black box exposure test, a box with adjustable internal temperature and a black upper surface, which acts as a mounting surface. A box without an internal temperature adjustment device (black box exposure device specified in JIS Z 2381) can also be used. However, in this case, it must be equipped with a black panel thermometer. An example of the device is included in the standard annex.

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