ISO 877-1: General Guidance for Solar Radiation Exposure Testing of Plastics
ISO 877-1 provides guidance on outdoor weathering exposure methods for plastics. It defines approved exposure types, measurement of solar radiation and other climatic parameters, and appropriate specimen preparation and mounting techniques. By standardizing how tests are conducted and results are evaluated and reported, the standard supports consistent, comparable insight into the outdoor durability of plastic materials across a wide range of applications.
Key Principles of ISO 877-1
ISO 877-1 is not itself a testing protocol, but instead provides general parameters needed to consistently evaluate how plastics perform under solar radiation exposure. This is similar to the general laboratory testing guidance given for UV fluorescent and xenon arc exposures in ASTM G151, ISO 4892-1, and ISO 16474-1.
The standard specifies the type of exposure method used (natural outdoor, behind glass, or intensified sunlight) in the ISO-877 series of standards, along with how radiant and UV exposure are measured across defined wavelength ranges. It's a convenient handbook for norms and best practices for outdoor testing of materials. The content includes descriptions and recommendations for:
- Apparatus - both the fixtures for mounting specimens as well as instrumentation for climatic measurements
- Specimens - sizing, shape, and preparation; handling and conditioning; and guidance on the use of replicate and control materials
- Exposures - climate regions, open and backed exposures, duration, and character of sunlight
- Procedures - mounting, specimen maintenance, climate measurements, and specimen evaluation frequency
- Reporting - important parameters for documenting property change and preparing test reports
Although this standard is maintained by ISO's plastics committee and nominally intended for polymeric materials, many of the principles are common to outdoor testing of components in general. By standardizing measurement instrumentation and post-exposure evaluation of material changes, ISO 877-1 enables reliable, comparable assessment of outdoor durability across materials and test environments.
How Q-Lab Can Help
Q-Lab offers outdoor exposure testing programs at our internationally-recognized, ISO 17025-accredited benchmark locations in Florida and Arizona. Weathering exposures at these sites are not only realistic; they also could be considered a form of accelerated weathering testing (depending on where the product will be used outdoors) and are the best way to verify laboratory test results. Q-Lab also provides all users with climate data to enhance interpretation of data collected during outdoor exposures. See our Outdoor Testing brochure for more information on these sites and our Testing Services brochure to learn about our full range of weathering testing services.
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