Overview
ISO 877-1:2009 - Plastics - Methods of exposure to solar radiation - Part 1: General guidance provides high-level guidance for selecting and using outdoor and intensified solar radiation exposure methods for plastics. It explains principles, specimen preparation, apparatus and instrumentation, measurement of radiant exposure (including UV), and how to plan and report outdoor weathering tests. It complements the detailed procedures in ISO 877-2 (direct/window-glass exposures) and ISO 877-3 (intensified exposures using Fresnel concentrators).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Guidance on methods applicable to all kinds of plastics, products and product portions; excludes black-box accelerated-temperature fixtures.
- Exposure methods: Describes natural direct exposure (method A), window-glass-filtered exposure (method B) and intensified solar-concentrating exposure (ISO 877-3).
- Radiant exposure: Recommends expressing exposure in terms of total or UV radiant exposure (preferred over time alone) and using instrumental integration.
- Instrumentation and calibration:
- Radiometers must meet ISO 9370 requirements and be calibrated at least annually (traceable to national/international references).
- Pyranometers, pyrheliometers and total-UV radiometers requirements and calibration are specified; narrow-band UV radiometers (NBUVRs) often require more frequent calibration (every six months).
- Apparatus and materials: Test racks and fixtures should be made of inert, non-corroding materials (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum alloys, ceramics); avoid metals or treatments that can affect specimen temperature or chemistry. Guidance on backing/support materials is provided.
- Specimen handling and testing: Recommendations for specimen orientation, support, unstrained exposure, use of control materials, and recording climatic conditions.
- Climate and variability: Annex A provides a climate classification; the standard notes location/climate effects on degradation and the need for repeat exposures to assess variability.
- Reporting: Required test-report elements (conditions, instruments, calibration, exposure stages and results).
Applications and users
ISO 877-1:2009 is used for:
- Product designers and materials engineers assessing outdoor durability of plastics and coatings.
- Independent test laboratories conducting natural or solar-concentrated weathering tests.
- Manufacturers performing quality assurance, material selection and lifetime comparisons.
- R&D teams benchmarking formulations, additives and stabilizers under solar/UV exposure.
- Regulatory bodies or specifiers requiring standardized exposure methods for performance claims.
Practical uses include outdoor weathering evaluation for construction plastics, automotive trim, glazing, outdoor furniture, signage and polymer coatings.
Related standards
- ISO 877-2:2009 - Direct weathering and exposure behind window glass
- ISO 877-3 - Intensified weathering using concentrated solar radiation
- ISO 9370 - Instrumental determination of radiant exposure
- ISO 291, ISO 472, ISO 4582 - specimen conditioning, vocabulary and color change methods
Keywords: ISO 877-1:2009, plastics, solar radiation, outdoor weathering, radiant exposure, UV radiometers, Fresnel concentrator, weathering tests.
