Overview
ISO 9022-9:2016 - "Optics and photonics - Environmental test methods - Part 9: Solar radiation and weathering" specifies laboratory methods to evaluate how optical instruments and assemblies resist simulated solar radiation and accelerated weathering (combined solar radiation, heat and moisture). It covers instruments exposed to sunlight during operation or unsheltered storage on the earth’s surface or in the lower atmosphere, and defines test intent: to determine effects on optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical and electrical (including electrostatic) performance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Conditioning methods:
- Method 20 – Solar radiation: controlled irradiance exposure in a heated chamber with specified chamber temperature, air speed and total irradiance (including degrees of severity for different test objectives).
- Method 21 – Laboratory weathering: accelerated weathering using appropriately filtered xenon‑arc lamps to simulate outdoor solar spectra together with cyclic moisture and heat.
- Radiation and spectral control: Test sources and spectral bands are specified; note that wavelengths below 280 nm are not covered by this part. Global‑radiation reference: 1 kW/m² ≈ natural terrestrial global radiation.
- Exposure parameters: Degrees of severity and cycles define irradiance, chamber and black‑standard or black‑panel temperatures, relative humidity, spray cycles and total exposure time (examples in the standard include multi‑thousand hour weathering cycles and quantified UV radiant exposures).
- Instrumentation and calibration: Requirements for irradiance, temperature and humidity measurement and control; sensors must be calibrated and operated per ISO 4892‑1, ISO 4892‑2 and ISO 9370. Ozone generated during exposure must be removed from the chamber.
- Specimen handling: Positioning, mounting, support characteristics and test point locations for measurement are to be specified in the applicable test specification.
Applications - who uses this standard
- Manufacturers and designers of optical instruments, lenses, sensors and photonic assemblies for outdoor or airborne use.
- Environmental test laboratories performing accelerated weathering and solar radiation testing.
- Quality assurance, reliability engineers and procurement teams specifying environmental qualification criteria.
- Regulators or certification bodies verifying that optical equipment maintains specified performance after sunlight and weathering exposure.
Related standards
- ISO 4892‑1 / ISO 4892‑2 (laboratory light sources and xenon‑arc weathering procedures)
- ISO 9370 (radiant exposure measurement guidance)
- IEC 60068‑2‑5 (simulated solar radiation at ground level)
- ISO 9022‑1 (definitions and extent of testing for optics and photonics)
Keywords: optics and photonics, environmental test methods, solar radiation testing, laboratory weathering, xenon‑arc, irradiance, accelerated weathering, UV radiant exposure, optical instrument qualification.
Open preview (PDF)Optics and photonics — Environmental test methods — Part 9: Solar radiation and weathering