UV (ultraviolet) exposure testing of geotextiles is an important test used to evaluate the durability performance of geotextiles exposed to UV radiation in outdoor environments. This test is designed to simulate long-term exposure of geotextiles under actual use conditions, as UV radiation can cause geotextiles to age, fade and degrade.

 Here is some key information about UV exposure testing of geotextiles:

Test Methods:

Typically, UV exposure testing is performed by exposing geotextile samples to a xenon arc lamp (or other appropriate UV light source) with UV radiation. Samples are typically suspended or placed in a testing device and then exposed to UV radiation for a set period of time. The test equipment simulates UV exposure in different seasons, latitudes and longitudes, and weather conditions.

Test parameters:

When conducting UV exposure testing, the following parameters need to be considered:

Radiation Intensity: The test should use a certain intensity of UV radiation to simulate outdoor UV exposure. Irradiation intensity is usually expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²) per unit area.

Wavelength range: Testing should take into account different parts of the UV spectrum, including UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. These wavelength ranges all have different effects in UV exposure.

Exposure time: The time frame for testing typically varies based on application requirements and environmental conditions and can range from hundreds to thousands of hours.

Test Results:

Once testing is complete, the performance of the geotextile can be evaluated. Common evaluation criteria include:

Degree of fading: Check whether the color of the geotextile has faded significantly. Changes in color may indicate surface aging of the geotextile when exposed to UV radiation.

Tensile and Tear Properties: Test the geotextile’s tensile and tear strength to see if it decreases after exposure. A decrease in these performance parameters may indicate damage to the geotextile’s structure.

Chemical properties: Check the chemical properties of the geotextile, such as whether the surface chemical composition has changed. This can help determine if the geotextile has aged or degraded.