Interpreting Accelerated Weathering Tests?

[FixerTed]

A supplier has proposed a fabric that meets MIL C 20696 which requires testing after Accelerated Weathering per FED 191. My customer wants to know the "approximate life expectancy" of the fabric outdoors. The testing / MIL spec doesnt put the results in terms of life expectancy. Is there a way to equate the 150 hours of Accelerated weathering to actual outdoor exposure?
Any direction on which Forum would be best for this subject is appreciated.

 

[patprimmer]

This is a very difficult area as even though you can tie down the variables in a test rig, you cant tie down the variables in nature.

Location of outdoor exposure is one very big variable that has bought some major high quality motor car makers undone when they marketed in Australia, new cars with a new paint system. Worked fine in the northern hemisphere, but paint failed in 5 years in Aus.

Weather is another variable.

Pollution is another variable.

Regards
Pat
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[MintJulep]

In a nutshell, no. There is no way to translate.

 

[patprimmer]

Oh yes, the spectrum of solar energy that causes damage varies between test rigs and nature and it varies continually in nature.

Regards
Pat
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