🔩 Accelerated weathering of plastics under filtered xenon-arc lamps in the presence of moisture — method A (daylight filters, Table 1) and method B (window glass filters, Table 2), irradiance uniformity ≥ 80 %, black-standard or black-panel thermometer, water spray with conductivity < 5 µS/cm, measurement of UV radiant exposure in the specimen plane; since amendment A1:2021 — daylight filters of type I and type II, PN-EN ISO 4892-2

Materials and NDT PN-EN ISO 4892-2

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2013-06 (English version), in full (our translation of the Polish card text): “This standard specifies methods for exposing specimens to xenon-arc light in the presence of moisture to reproduce the weathering effects (temperature, humidity and/or wetting) that occur when materials are exposed in actual end-use environments to daylight or to daylight filtered through window glass. The specimen preparation and evaluation of the results are covered in other International Standards for specific materials. General guidance is given in EN ISO 4892-1.” The “Scope” field of the card of amendment A1:2022-01: “Amendment 1 introduces a new informative Annex C on the classification of daylight filters.” We read the text of the standard in the sample extract of ISO 4892-2:2013 from the cover to subclause 4.6 (specimen holders, page 5) and the sample of amendment ISO 4892-2:2013/Amd 1:2021 in full; we do not have the rest of the standard — subclauses 4.6–4.7, Clauses 5–9 (specimens, exposure conditions with Tables 3 and 4, procedure, test report) and Annexes A and B.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF ISO 4892-2:2013 (foreword, Clauses 1–4.5.3). The third edition replaced the second (ISO 4892-2:2006) and its amendment Amd 1:2009. Scope (Clause 1): methods for exposing specimens to xenon-arc light in the presence of moisture to reproduce the effects of weathering (temperature, humidity, wetting) on exposure to daylight or daylight behind window glass; specimen preparation and evaluation of results are given in material standards; general guidance — ISO 4892-1; note: exposure of paints and varnishes is described in ISO 11341. Normative references: ISO 4582, ISO 4892-1, ISO 9370. Principle (Clause 3): a filtered xenon arc reproduces the relative spectral distribution of daylight in the UV and visible range; specimens are exposed to light, heat, humidity and water under controlled conditions; the conditions are varied by the choice of filters, irradiance, temperature during light exposure, relative humidity in light and dark periods, wetting method, water temperature and wetting cycle, and the ratio of light and dark periods; wetting by spraying with demineralized or deionized water, immersion or condensation; the procedure includes measurement of UV irradiance and UV radiant exposure in the plane of the specimens; simultaneous exposure of a control material of known performance is recommended; results from different apparatus are not compared without an established statistical relationship for the given material. Light source (4.1.1): one or more quartz-jacketed xenon-arc lamps emitting from below 270 nm through the visible range into the infrared; for daylight, filters remove short-wave UV (method A, Table 1), for daylight behind window glass — filters limiting radiation below 310 nm (method B, Table 2); infrared filters may be used against unrealistic heating of the specimens; the daylight reference is Table 4 of CIE publication No. 85:1989. Table 1 — method A (share of irradiance 290–400 nm; minimum / CIE 85 / maximum): λ < 290 nm — maximum 0,15 %; 290–320 nm — 2,6 / 5,4 / 7,9 %; 320–360 nm — 28,2 / 38,2 / 39,8 %; 360–400 nm — 54,2 / 56,4 / 67,5 %; conformity of the filters is checked by measuring the spectrum from 250 nm to 400 nm (usually in 2 nm steps); the limits are based on more than 100 measurements and are at least 3 sigma from the mean; for CIE 85 daylight the UV share (290–400 nm) is 11 %, visible (400–800 nm) 89 %. Table 2 — method B: λ < 300 nm — maximum 0,29 %; 300–320 nm — 0,1 / ≤ 1 / 2,8 %; 320–360 nm — 23,8 / 33,1 / 35,5 %; 360–400 nm — 62,4 / 66,0 / 76,2 %; the target values are CIE 85 multiplied by the transmittance of 3 mm window glass; limits from more than 30 measurements; UV (300–400 nm) about 9 %, visible about 91 %. Uniformity (4.1.4): at every point of the exposure area at least 80 % of the maximum irradiance, otherwise periodic repositioning of the specimens according to ISO 4892-1. Test chamber (4.2): of inert material, with temperature control and, when required, humidity control (according to ISO 4892-1), spray, condensation or immersion; ozone from the lamps isolated from the specimens and operators and vented outside the building. Radiometer (4.3) according to ISO 4892-1 and ISO 9370. Black-standard or black-panel thermometer (4.4) according to ISO 4892-1 — the black-standard thermometer is recommended; cycles are given in Tables 3 and B.1. Wetting (4.5): spray, condensation or immersion; conditions with spray — Tables 3 and 4 (with humidity control) and B.1 and B.2 (without); with condensation or immersion the details are given in the test report; note: relative humidity can significantly affect the photodegradation of polymers. Spray (4.5.3): intermittent, uniform, on the front or back of the specimens, of corrosion-resistant materials; water with conductivity below 5 µS/cm, below 1 µg/g dissolved solids, leaving no stains on the specimens, silica below 0,2 µg/g (e.g. deionization with reverse osmosis). Specimen holders (4.6): open frame or backing — this is where the extract of the standard we read ends.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF AMENDMENT ISO 4892-2:2013/Amd 1:2021 (complete). Prepared by ISO/TC 61/SC 6 with CEN/TC 249. A paragraph was added in 4.1.2: Annex C distinguishes two types of daylight filters — type I and type II; both meet the requirements of Table 1. New informative Annex C: the requirements of Table 1 allow a wide range of filters with different UV cut-on, most of which can be grouped into two specifications; stating the filter type significantly improves the reproducibility and comparability of results — if known, it is strongly recommended to state it in the test report; in method A any filter meeting Table 1 may be used, including one meeting neither the type I nor the type II specification; results are more reproducible when comparing systems of the same type. Table C.1 redefines the distribution in 20 nm bands and divides it into types: type I has a higher UV cut-on (closer to natural solar radiation), with type II material degradation is usually faster; filters according to ASTM D7869 belong to type I, according to SAE J2527 — to type II; Figure C.1 shows examples against the reference spectrum of ISO/TR 17801 (normalized to 60 W/m² in the 300–400 nm band). We do not give the numbers of Table C.1 — the columns are illegible in the text of the sample.

STATUS (cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2013-06 (English version) has no “Withdrawn” header — the standard is CURRENT: published 26-06-2013, 24 pages, price group M, Chemistry Sector, KT 141 Plastics, ICS 83.080.01, “Introduces: EN ISO 4892-2:2013 [IDT], ISO 4892-2:2013 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2009 – Polish version” and amendment A1:2009 (English and German versions); additional element: PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2013-06/A1:2022-01. The card of amendment A1:2022-01 (English version): no “Withdrawn” header, published 31-01-2022, 16 pages, introduces EN ISO 4892-2:2013/A1:2021 and ISO 4892-2:2013/Amd 1:2021. PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2009 (Polish version, introduced ISO 4892-2:2006) — withdrawn 26-06-2013. We did not check whether ISO is working on a new edition (iso.org refuses access from our server).

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read 02.10.2026). The number 4892-2 appears in 11 records at 8 laboratories: AB 023 (4), AB 044, AB 067, AB 128, AB 163, AB 369, AB 910, AB 1552 (1 each). In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 02.10.2026, issues from 16.07.2025 to 27.07.2026) the number appears at all 8: with amendment A1:2022-01 at AB 044, AB 163, AB 369 and AB 1552; only “2013-06” at AB 067; without a year at AB 023 (method A and method B separately, with the note “N” for plastic products), AB 128 and AB 910; at AB 044 PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2009+A1:2009 (with EN and ISO 2006+A1:2009) still stands next to the 2013+A1 edition. No row is set in bold italics. The “Laboratories” tab searches entries BEGINNING WITH “PN-EN ISO 4892-2” and shows all 8 laboratories and 11 positions — checked with the tab query on the labcoda.pl production server on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (positions in PCA). Coatings and plastic products — accelerated ageing cycles, method A and B (AB 023); solid insulating materials and electrical, telecommunication and electronic products (AB 044); electrotechnical products, plastics and protective coatings — resistance to solar radiation next to PN-EN 60068-2-5 (AB 067) and PN-EN IEC 60068-2-5 (AB 1552: structural products and materials, fittings, machine and equipment components, including mining equipment); metal and plastic products — resistance to solar radiation next to PN-EN ISO 4892-3 and PN-EN ISO 16474-1 (AB 128); plastic products next to PN-EN ISO 4892-1 (AB 163, AB 369); materials for consumer products, including children’s products, next to PN-EN ISO 105-B02 and 105-B04 (AB 910).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. In the filter: method A (daylight) and method B (behind glass) are different spectra — UV share 290–320 nm 2,6–7,9 % versus 0,1–2,8 % at 300–320 nm; a result without the method stated is not comparable. In the filter type (since A1:2021): both types meet Table 1, but type II usually degrades the material faster — without the type in the report two “conforming” results can differ significantly. In comparisons: results from different apparatus are not compared without an established statistical relationship for the given material; a control material is recommended. In uniformity: below 80 % of the maximum irradiance the specimens have to be repositioned. In water: spraying with water of conductivity ≥ 5 µS/cm or containing silica leaves deposits that look like a surface change. In temperature: black-standard and black-panel thermometers read differently — it has to be stated which one. In the assessment: the standard does not assess the effects of exposure — material standards do (e.g. colour, gloss, mechanical properties).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have Clauses 5–9: Tables 3 and 4 with exposure cycles (irradiance, temperatures, humidity, spray cycles), requirements for specimens, the procedure, the test report or Annexes A and B; we therefore give no exposure cycle, irradiance or test duration. We do not give the numbers of Table C.1 of amendment A1 (illegible in the sample).

Method principle

Specimens are exposed in a chamber with a xenon-arc lamp with filters reproducing the spectrum of daylight (method A) or daylight behind window glass (method B), at controlled temperature (black-standard or black-panel thermometer), humidity and wetting cycles (spray, immersion, condensation), measuring the UV irradiance and radiant exposure in the specimen plane; the effects of exposure are assessed according to material standards, preferably against a control material.

Applications

• Plastics and plastic products — accelerated weathering in daylight (method A) or behind glass (method B)
• Solid insulating materials, electrotechnical and electronic products, protective coatings — resistance to solar radiation
• Materials of consumer products and structural elements, fittings, machine parts — 8 laboratories

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2013-06 + A1:2022-01 (wersja angielska; EN ISO 4892-2:2013 i A1:2021 IDT, ISO 4892-2:2013 i Amd 1:2021 IDT)

Title (PL)

Tworzywa sztuczne — Metody ekspozycji na laboratoryjne źródła światła — Część 2: Lampy ksenonowe łukowe

Title (EN)

Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps

Step-by-step procedure

1. Choice of method and filters

   Method A (daylight, Table 1) or B (behind glass, Table 2); filter type I or II according to amendment A1, if known. PN-EN ISO 4892-2:2013-06 with A1:2022-01 current (cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Preparation of specimens

   According to the material standard (Clause 5 and material standards — NOT GIVEN); a control material of known performance is recommended.

3. Setting the conditions

   Irradiance, black-standard or black-panel temperature, humidity, spray cycle and light-to-dark ratio according to Tables 3, 4, B.1 or B.2 — values NOT GIVEN.

4. Exposure

   Uniformity ≥ 80 % of maximum or periodic repositioning of the specimens; measurement of UV radiant exposure in the specimen plane; quality control of the spray water.

5. Assessment and report

   Assessment of effects according to the material standard; the report states the method, filter type, wetting conditions; results from another apparatus are not compared without a statistical relationship.

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• UV radiation and bright light of xenon lamps — do not look into the source, door interlocks; ozone from the lamps must be isolated from operators and vented outside the building (4.2); high supply voltage of the lamps
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the standard only exposes specimens — the assessment of effects is given by the material standard; method A and method B and filters of type I and II give different spectra, so a result without this information is not comparable

Frequently asked questions