VDI 3958 Blatt 11:2009-05 (R2015)

The guideline applies to the simulation of the effect of environmental conditions with high concentrations of gaseous pollutants (for example operating, transport and storage conditions) on polymer materials and products (exposed objects). The guideline describes procedures for making recommendations on the basis of comparisons for selecting materials and their use in components with respect to their long-term durability and resistance to ageing. The guideline describes general methods for the exposure of polymer materials to gaseous pollutants. Studies on certain polymer materials (e. g. elastomers) may necessitate additional requirements which should be defined in the individual requirements for these samples and are not given here (e. g. mechanical prestressing or alternating loads). The guideline describes the procedure for environmental simulation with studies with significant effects of solar radiation or artificial radiation on the aging and life of the exposed object. Hereby, in addition to the effect of the exposure of the polymer materials and components to gases, material changes occur due to radiationinduced drying, moistening and heating processes as well as photochemical reactions.