Designation: D4799/D4799M − 08 (Reapproved 2013)´1

Standard Practice for

Accelerated Weathering Test Conditions and Procedures for
Bituminous Materials (Fluorescent UV, Water Spray, and
Condensation Method)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4799/D4799M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

ε1 NOTE—Units information was editorially corrected in July 2013.

1. Scope G141 Guide for Addressing Variability in Exposure Testing

1.1 This practice describes test conditions and procedures of Nonmetallic Materials
for fluorescent UV and condensation exposures conducted G147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonmetal-
according to Practices G151 and G154 for bituminous roofing lic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests
and waterproofing materials that have a minimum softening G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accel-
point of approximately 95°C [200°F] as determined by Test erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
Method D36. (Also see Terminology G113.) G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV)
Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in 3. Summary of Test Method
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining 3.1 Thin films of bitumen are uniformly applied to alumi-
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance num panels. Shingles and similar materials are cut to size and
with the standard. exposed to specified cycles of temperature, light, and water. A
choice of three test cycles is given along with options for
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
determining the period of exposure and evaluating results.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.1 This weathering apparatus is used for comparing the
weathering characteristics of bituminous materials against a
2. Referenced Documents control material for which the outdoor weathering characteris-
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 tics are known. It is not possible to establish a precise
D36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and- correlation between accelerated and natural weathering be-
Ball Apparatus) cause (1) there are geographical climatic variations, local
D1669 Practice for Preparation of Test Panels for Acceler- weather variations, and variations in local pollutants, and (2)
ated and Outdoor Weathering of Bituminous Coatings the relation between accelerated and natural weathering is
D1670 Test Method for Failure End Point in Accelerated and material dependent. Acceleration factors differ between mate-
Outdoor Weathering of Bituminous Materials rials as well as between formulations of the same material.
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial Weath- Guide G141 provides guidance regarding this issue.
ering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials NOTE 1—This practice can be used for other than bituminous materials,
but the significance and use have not been evaluated.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and 5. Apparatus
Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.02 on Steep
Roofing Products and Assemblies. 5.1 The fluorescent UV and condensation apparatus used
Current edition approved July 1, 2013. Published July 2013. Originally approved shall conform to the requirements defined in Practices G151
in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4799 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/
D4799_D4799M-08R13E01. and G154.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 Lamps—Unless otherwise specified, the lamps shall be
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on fluorescent UVA-340 lamps as described in 6.1.3.1 of Practice
the ASTM website. G154.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D4799/D4799M − 08 (2013)´1
5.2.1 Other fluorescent UV lamps meeting the size and the spaces, fill the empty spaces with blank panels of corrosion
electrical characteristics in 5.2 may be used if mutually agreed resistant material to maintain the test conditions within the
upon and provided that the lamp and spectral energy distribu- chamber.
tion are reported in conformance with Section 9. Cycle A— 4 h UV at 60 ± 2.5°C, alternating with 4 h condensation
at 50 ± 2.5°C.
5.3 Moisture—It is permitted to expose the test specimens to Cycle B— 20 h UV at 60 ± 2.5°C, alternating with 4 h condensation
moisture in the form of water spray, condensation, or high at 50 ± 2.5°C.
Cycle C— 20 h UV at 80 ± 2.5°C, alternating with 4 h condensation
humidity. at 50 ± 2.5°C.
5.3.1 Water Spray—It is permitted to equip the test chamber Cycle D— 4 h UV at 60 ± 2.5°C, 15 min water spray, alternating with
3.75 h condensation at 50 ± 2.5°C.
with a means to introduce intermittent water spray onto the test
Cycle E— 20 h UV at 60 ± 2.5°C, 15 min water spray, alternating with
specimens under specified conditions. The spray shall be 3.75 h condensation at 50 ± 2.5°C.
uniformly distributed over the samples. The spray system shall Cycle F— 20 h UV at 80 ± 2.5°C, 15 min water spray, alternating with
3.75 h condensation at 50 ± 2.5°C.
be made from corrosion resistant materials that do not con-
taminate the water used. 7.3 If inspection of the panels is to be performed at any
5.3.1.1 Spray Water Quality—Spray water shall have a stage in the cycle, the interruption of the test procedure shall
conductivity below 5 µS/cm, contain less than 1-ppm solids, take only sufficient time to allow for such inspection. The time
and leave no observable stains or deposits on the specimens. taken for inspection of the samples shall not be counted as part
Very low levels of silica in spray water can cause significant of the exposure.
deposits on the surface of test specimens. Care should be taken NOTE 2—The cycle to be employed shall be specified in the product
to keep silica levels below 0.1 ppm. In addition to distillation, standard.
a combination of deionization and reverse osmosis can effec- NOTE 3—The operational fluctuations, that is, the positive and negative
tively produce water of the required quality. The pH of the deviations from the specified set points for the irradiance and temperature,
water used shall be reported. See Practice G151 for detailed are allowable deviations from the set points during equilibrium operation
of the equipment. They do not imply that the user is allowed to program
water quality instructions. a set point higher or lower than that specified. Operate the apparatus to
maintain the allowable operational fluctuations. If the latter are greater
6. Test Specimens than the maximum allowable after the equipment has stabilized, discon-
tinue the test and correct the cause of the problem before continuing.
6.1 Unless otherwise agreed upon, test specimens shall be
approximately 3 by 6 in. [75 by 150 mm]. Bituminous 8. Period of Exposure and Evaluation of Results
materials shall be applied as uniform coatings on aluminum
panels in accordance with Practice D1669. Fabricated materi- 8.1 The duration of the exposure under this practice shall be
als such as bituminous roofing, shingles, and similar products one of the following:
shall be cut to size and their weather surfaces exposed. If these 8.1.1 A mutually agreed upon number of hours of exposure,
are too flexible to sustain their own weight in a vertical 8.1.2 The number of hours of exposure required to produce
position, they may be mounted on aluminum panels. a mutually agreed upon minimum amount of change in the test
6.1.1 Replicate specimens are desirable to provide a record specimen, or
of degradation at different time intervals. Retention of an 8.1.3 The number of hours required to produce mutually
unexposed specimen is recommended as it is difficult to mask agreed upon minimum acceptable change in either the test
a specimen to prevent exposure to condensation. specimen or a mutually agreed upon standard sample.
6.1.2 Follow the procedures described in Practice G147 for 8.2 It is permitted to evaluate changes in the exposed
identification, conditioning, and handling of specimens of test samples visually each day by comparing them with unexposed
and control materials prior to, during, and after exposure. samples, or in terms of the number of hours exposure required
to produce physical or chemical changes as determined by Test
7. Procedure Method D1670.
7.1 Proceed in accordance with Section 9 of Practice G154.
9. Report
7.2 Apparatus shall be operated continuously, except for
9.1 In addition to the items specified in Practice G151, the
intervals for repositioning of samples or inspection of samples,
report shall include the following:
according to one of the following cycles. The temperature
specifications are for an uninsulated black panel thermometer. 9.1.1 Test cycle employed (in accordance with 7.2),
For equipment that requires an irradiance setting for its 9.1.2 Manufacturer and designation of the fluorescent lamp
operation, it shall be 0.89 6 0.02 W/(m2·nm) at 340 nm. employed, and
Specimens shall be confined to an exposure area in which the 9.1.3 Coating thickness employed.
irradiance is at least 90 % of the irradiance at the center of the 9.1.4 Method of sample repositioning, if used, or other
exposure area. Unless it is known that irradiance uniformity means of assuring equal radiant exposure on all specimens or
meets this requirement, use one of the procedures described in compensation for differences in irradiance within the exposure
Practice G154, Section 9.5, to ensure equal radiant exposure on chamber.
all specimens or to compensate for differences within the 9.1.5 Type of fluorescent/condensation device used, that is,
exposure chamber. If the specimens do not completely fill all of irradiance controlled or non-controlled.

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 D4799/D4799M − 08 (2013)´1
10. Precision and Bias 10.2 Bias—Bias cannot be determined because no accept-
10.1 Precision—The repeatability of results obtained in able standard weathering reference materials are available.
exposures conducted according to this practice will vary with
the materials being tested, the material property being 11. Keywords
measured, and the specific test conditions and cycles that are 11.1 accelerated weathering; bituminous materials; degrada-
used. It is essential to determine reproducibility of the tion; exposure; fluorescent UV and condensation; light expo-
exposure/property measurement process when using the results sure; roofing; ultraviolet; waterproofing
from exposures conducted according to this practice in product
specifications.

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