Solar testing vs. UV testing

Solar Radiation vs. UV strain

The ageing of a product in its conditions of use is the sum of several factors. The radiation strain caused by the sun plays a remarkable role in the ageing of materials outdoors and indoors near the window. Solar radiation consists of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation.

UV radiation specifically is often the component most responsible for ageing materials. Paint factories, for example, largely use equipment producing only uv radiation in their materials testing.

UV testing has the advantage of not “wasting” electricity in order to produce longer-wave radiation. Testing costs will be lower than in full-spectrum solar radiation testing.

In uv testing, it must be remembered that the ageing produced by visible light and infrared radiation will remain untested. Such a test will serve to remove those samples which have not stood ultraviolet radiation and therefore solar radiation – which is a notable advantage. However, it cannot be stated outright which sample will withstand natural light the best.

Tailored uv tests will be done on the basis of radiation studies and the intended ageing span.