ISO 29664:2010

Overview

ISO 29664:2010 - "Plastics - Artificial weathering including acidic deposition" specifies laboratory methods to evaluate plastics exposed to heavily polluted outdoor environments. The standard defines two exposure methods for reproducing the combined effects of UV radiation, heat, humidity, wetting and acidic deposition. It explicitly states that results are intended to evaluate materials under polluted conditions and cannot be used to predict absolute service life. The standard does not cover effects of special chemicals such as agrochemicals.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Two exposure methods
  • Method A: for products where surface degradation dominates. Uses a strong acid spray (pH 1.5) applied in short pulses (typically once per day). Includes procedures to simulate very humid (tropical/subtropical) and more moderate climates.
  • Method B: for products requiring deep penetration of acid (e.g., geotextiles). Uses weaker acid exposure (pH 3.5) integrated into the wet/rain phase over longer periods.
• Acid solution preparation
  • A pH 1.5 solution is prepared by adding 10.6 g H2SO4, 3.18 g HNO3 and 1.80 g HCl to 10 litres of deionized water (mass ratio ~1.0:0.3:0.17). Dilutions produce pH 2.5 (1:10) and pH 3.5 (1:100) solutions.
• Apparatus and control
  • Weathering devices conforming to ISO 4892-1 and either ISO 4892-2 (xenon-arc) or ISO 4892-3 (fluorescent UV).
  • Radiant control requirements are specified (e.g., fluorescent UV control options at 340 nm or 290–400 nm bandpass; xenon arc options at 340 nm or 300–400 nm bandpass).
  • Precise control of irradiance, temperature (including black standard temperature), relative humidity and wetting/spray systems is required. Water/acid quality and spray uniformity are mandated (e.g., silica < 0.2 µg/g for method A water).
• Specimens & measurement
  • Minimum specimen dimensions and replicate testing are specified. Methods for measuring changes in properties after exposure reference ISO 4582 and other test-method standards.
• Limitations
  • Results are comparative and diagnostic; they do not provide definitive life-expectancy predictions.

Practical applications and users

ISO 29664:2010 is used by:

• Material and product manufacturers (geotextiles, coatings, exterior plastics, membranes, architectural plastics) for R&D and quality control
• Independent test laboratories performing artificial weathering and polluted-environment evaluations
• Specifiers and procurement engineers writing performance requirements for products used in industrially polluted or acid-rain-prone regions
• Regulatory bodies and standards developers assessing material resistance to acidic deposition

Benefits include repeatable simulation of polluted outdoor exposures, comparative performance ranking, and method consistency for product claims and specifications.

Related standards

• ISO 4892-1 / ISO 4892-2 / ISO 4892-3 (laboratory light sources and xenon/UV apparatus)
• ISO 4582 (measurement of changes after exposure)
• ISO 291 (conditioning and testing atmospheres)

Keywords: ISO 29664:2010, artificial weathering, acidic deposition, plastics testing, method A, method B, xenon arc, fluorescent UV, polluted outdoor environments.