1.1 This standard describes the criteria to be used for selection of a weathering reference material (WRM) and procedures to be used for determining within lab and between lab tolerances of changes in measured properties of weathering reference materials. This standard also describes a procedure for comparing different lots of the same type of a weathering reference material.

1.2 Weathering reference materials are most often used to (1) monitor consistency (that is, repeatability, reproducibility, or both) of exposure tests, (2) to determine the time or radiant exposure at which test materials are evaluated, (3) as a reference material for comparing to test materials exposed at the same time. Weathering reference materials cannot be used to classify or characterize the relative severity of any exposure test because of the large variability in material responses to the effects of light, heat, and water.

1.3 This practice does not cover control materials which, by definition are selected to be of similar composition and construction to the test materials, and are exposed at the same time as test materials.

1.4 This practice provides an outline of experiments required to determine how the measured properties of the reference material change as a function of exposure to specified test conditions. It includes establishment of reproducible measurement procedures, determination of the critical spectral region in the light source causing the changes, and effects of other critical exposure stresses such as temperature and moisture.