The “TESLA TP-0000701 Lightfastness of materials to artificial weathering” standard, developed by TESLA, an American company that designs, manufactures and sells electric vehicles, describes an approved methodology for examining the lightfastness properties of automotive materials under laboratory conditions, under certain conditions.
This standard never replaces applicable laws and regulations. All material testing must be carried out by an accredited laboratory or a laboratory registered to the ISO/TS 16949 standard by an established third-party auditor. It is the supplier's responsibility to ensure that the most current versions of all specified standards are used.
High-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation, along with other environmental stressors, is a significant contributor to the visual and functional degradation of materials during vehicle operation both inside and outside the cabin. This standard includes methods by which such degradation is artificially accelerated by simulating the degradative photochemical pathways encountered in natural weather conditions. Evaluations regarding appearance or functional integrity are then performed in the laboratory.
In the described test method, the simulated solar load is achieved by radiant exposure and spectral power distribution produced by xenon arc lamps with controlled irradiance. Exposure conditions, including irradiation, temperature, and humidity, are largely based on the following two standards published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE): “SAE J2412-2015 Accelerated exposure of automotive interior trim components using a controlled irradiation xenon-arc apparatus” and “SAE J2527 -2017 Performance-based standard for accelerated exposure of automotive exterior materials using controlled irradiation xenon-arc apparatus”.
The TESLA TP-0000701 standard is complementary to the SAE standards and does not replace the requirements or recommendations stated herein unless expressly stated otherwise. The standard annexes contain recommended exposure levels per vehicle zone for both interior and exterior applications.
The main materials and equipment used in these tests are:
For initial approval of natural or common colored plastic resins, molded test plates must be smoothly and securely fixed to the sample holder and of sufficient size to facilitate post-test evaluation. For the evaluation of all other materials and testing of production parts, test samples cut from machined components with production tools finished according to the production process are preferred.
Sample surfaces must be protected from contamination before testing. At least 5 samples are tested per requirement, with a minimum of 3 measurements taken per sample.
Samples are produced no later than 7 days before the start of the test. Samples are conditioned at 48 degrees plus/minus 23 degrees and 2 percent plus/minus 50 relative humidity for at least 5 hours before testing.
SAE J2412-2015 standard is followed for indoor applications and SAE J2527-2017 standard is followed for outdoor applications. In all cases, an extended ultraviolet (UV) filter is used.
Depending on the layout of the cabin, interior materials are tested to one of four exposure levels. At the end of the test, a material requiring a specific radiation dose is also evaluated colorimetrically at all exposure levels in between. Similarly, exterior materials are tested to one of two exposure levels. It is necessary to clean the sample surfaces with a damp cloth before each evaluation.
Values reported for a particular weathered sample will be the difference of the averages of at least 5 measurements taken on the weathered sample and the reference control. The average of three samples forms the final value.
Measurements are performed in accordance with “ASTM E1164-12 Standard practice for obtaining spectrometric data for object color evaluation.”
Gloss measurements are made according to the standard "ISO 2813 Paints and varnishes - Determination of gloss value at 20, 60 and 85 degrees". Unless stated otherwise, brightness is measured at 60 degrees. Changes in brightness relative to a control are determined in the same way as changes in color.
Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies provided to businesses by our organization, there are also testing services in accordance with the "TESLA TP-0000701 Light fastness of materials to artificial weather conditions" standard.
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