Weathering Tests

Assuring product performance against different environmental conditions

Textiles and fabrics under exposure conditions, such as solar irradiance, temperature and moisture, can often sustain fading, color change, surface erosion, loss of gloss and numerous other deteriorations. For this reason, Weathering Testing for textiles is necessary to ensure the fabrics meet their projected functionality and lifetime. 

Can your apparel and fashion fabrics retain their color against various environmental impacts? Can they survive outdoors? All these questions can be answered by professional weathering tests. Intertek’s high-performance experts can provide a broad range of in-depth weathering testing services to the fashion and textile industries. 

Test by Xenon Arc Light and Moisture Exposure

This test uses xenon arc light and water apparatus to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when textiles are exposed to sunlight and moisture, such as rain or dew, during actual use.   

Test Scope and Method:

• All textiles
• ASTM G155, ISO 105 B06, ISO 105 B10

Report:

• Color change grade after exposure

Test by UV Light & Moisture Exposure

This test uses UV light and water apparatus to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when specimens are exposed to UV radiation and moisture, such as rain or dew, during actual use.  

Test Scope and Method:

• Fabrics, Coated Fabrics, Plastics
• ASTM G 154, ASTM D4329, AATCC 186, ASTM D4587, ASTM D5208, ISO 4892-3, ASTM D4329, SAE J2020

Report:

• Color change grade after exposure

Test by Hot Air Exposure

This test uses high temperature and high relative humidity to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when specimens are exposed to heat and a high-moisture environment.

Test Scope and Method:

• Coated Fabrics
• FZ/T 14023, FZ/T 01008

Report:

• Color change grade after exposure
• Any cracks due to folding

Test by Chemical Solution and Hot Air Exposure

This test uses corrosive solutions and high temperatures to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when specimens are exposed to heat and a chemically corrosive environment.

Test Scope and Method:

• Waterproof and moisture permeable polyester (Polyamide) fabrics 
• FZ/T 14023 Annex A 

Report:

• Delamination status after exposure
• Water resistance result after exposure (Hydrostatic Pressure Test)