DIN 75220

• Describes test methods for the artificial ageing of automotive components

• Applicable to materials such as plastics, paints, rubber and textiles

• Objective: Evaluation of long-term resistance to UV radiation, temperature and moisture

• Simulates outdoor and indoor conditions for various vehicle areas

• Tests are carried out in sun simulation systems with a specified UV spectrum

• Evaluates color changes and material degradation

• Enables the prediction of the service life and behavior of materials under solar radiation

• Defines test conditions such as temperature, humidity and irradiance

• Used for quality assurance and product development in the automotive industry

Content, area of application and tests:

The standard DIN 75220 “Aging of automotive components by solar simulation” is an important standard in the automotive industry that describes test methods for the artificial aging of automotive components by solar simulation. The main purpose of this standard is to evaluate the long-term effects of solar radiation, temperature and humidity on various materials and components used in vehicles.

The scope of the standard covers a wide range of materials, including plastics, paints, rubber, textiles and other materials used in the automotive industry. The tests can be carried out on individual material samples as well as on complex assemblies or even entire vehicles. This enables the investigation of interactions between different materials within individual components or between several components.

The standard defines three different test areas that represent different vehicle areas:

• Outdoor: for all exterior components that are exposed to direct sunlight.

• Indoor (1): For interior components where the windows reduce the intensity of solar radiation but still cause a significant increase in temperature.

• Indoor (2): For interior components that are exposed to slightly lower temperatures than the indoor area.

The tests are carried out in special solar simulation facilities that generate a precisely specified UV spectrum that corresponds to natural sunlight. The test conditions typically include elevated temperatures that mimic summer conditions, high humidity and a defined irradiance.

The standard defines specific test parameters:

• Irradiance: 800 to 1200 W/m²

• Temperature range: -10°C to +80°C

• Humidity: 25% to 80%

• Spectral radiation distribution: global radiation 280 to 3000 nm

Various sensors are used during the test to precisely monitor the test conditions. These include sensors for the black panel temperature, a pyranometer for measuring the radiation intensity and sensors for recording the test specimen temperature.

The evaluation of the tests focuses on various aspects of material change. These include color changes, which are often an initial indicator of material damage, as well as changes in mechanical properties. Other physical changes such as embrittlement, cracking or delamination are also evaluated.

The documentation of the tests must be detailed and contain all relevant information, including the exact test conditions, the measurement technology used and the observed effects on the test specimens. This is crucial for the reproducibility and comparability of the results.

The results of these tests provide valuable information for product development and quality assurance in the automotive industry. They make it possible to predict the service life of materials and components under different environmental conditions and to take appropriate measures to improve long-term durability.

Alternative standards with similar content and scope:

1. DIN EN ISO 4892-2: Plastics - Artificial irradiation or weathering in appliances - Part 2: Xenon arc lamps

2. ASTM G155: Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials

3. DIN EN 60068-2-5: Environmental exposure - Part 2-5: Test methods - Test Sa: Reproduced solar radiation at ground level

4. ISO 16474-3: Paints and varnishes - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 3: Fluorescent lamps UV

5. SAE J2527: Performance Based Standard for Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Controlled Irradiance Xenon-Arc Apparatus