DEVELOPMENT OF A TOOL FOR TESTING THE SUNLIGHT AND WEATHER RESISTANCE OF RUBBER AND PLASTIC IN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This abstract is concerning the Development of a Tool for Testing the Resistance of Rubber and Plastics to Sunlight and Weathering in Outdoor Environments for providing a convenient method for evaluating the degradation of these materials. This tool records weather factors that contribute to the deterioration of rubber and plastic materials under real-world conditions. The testing service complies with the preparation of test samples based on Industrial Product Standard (TIS) 2377-2559 (2016) for rubber flooring sheets, aimed at evaluating the properties of rubber and plastic materials. The test results include visual documentation of surface degradation on test samples at a magnification of 2x (2×) compared to a scale bar, along with weather data recorded over an 8-week testing period. For instance, the tests on natural rubber traffic cones conducted by the Office of Scientific Instrument and Testing at Prince of Songkla University reported weather data, including temperature, humidity, sample surface temperature, UV intensity index, light intensity, and solar energy levels during the testing period. Environmental measurements demonstrated acceptable error margins compared to calibrated reference instruments, ensuring reliable and satisfactory results. Data recording and access are simple and fast, available anytime through a web browser on a computer or smartphone connected to the internet. Additionally, this testing tool serves as a cost-effective alternative for businesses, reducing expenses compared to the QSUN Accelerated Weathering Tester, an expensive imported scientific instrument. The developed tool can fulfill specific testing and reporting requirements, providing an efficient, customizable solution for evaluating the durability of rubber and plastic materials.