Training Course

13.00 h
     -
17.30 h

Realisation and Evaluation of Weathering Tests

A. Lichtblau, M. Zäh, Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Gersthofen, D

1

Introduction

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Weathering tests are an indispensable precondition in product development and lifetime prediction. They are time consuming and neither cheap nor simple. A profound know-how and good preparation help to avoid a lot of trouble.

1.1

Why weathering tests?

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Time and money saving

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Reproducibility

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Availability

1.2

What kind of weathering tests?

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Artificial weathering

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Natural weathering

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Further factors; heat, humidity,

chemicals,mechanical stress, …

1.3

Expectations - disappointments

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Simulation

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Acceleration

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Trial methods

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Valid results

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Clear answers

1.4

Economy

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Costs of weathering tests

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Value of know-how

2

Realisation

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The practical work

•

Description of the problem

2.1

Observing the aging

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What is aging?

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How to characterise aging?

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How to follow aging?

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Test methods

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Needs and restrictions

2.2

Sample setup

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Shape

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Preparation

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Handling

2.3

Sample treatment with

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light

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heat

•

water

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chemicals

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mechanical stress

3

Evaluation

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Transformation of data into information and know-how

3.1

Method precision and sample size

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What is required to find or see an effect?

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What can´t be seen or found?

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Sample size

3.2

Time series

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Independent and dependent samples

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Smoothing methods

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Objective and subjective evaluation

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Thresholds in time series

3.3

Improved test setup

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Single factor tests

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Repetitions

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Interactions

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Statistically planned trials (DoE)

3.4

Documentation