Introduction
Textiles and Fabric are fundamental things used in human life. Our everyday life is shaped by the kind of textile materials and fabric we use. It is used in virtually every segment of life. It has applications in indoor environment like clothes, furniture, bedsheets etcetera. It also has applications in cars, offices and many more. Many countries even have their large amounts of export because of textile industry. However, there are many problems regarding the exposure of textiles and fabrics. They can get affected by too much sunlight, rain and other atmospheric pollutants. This results in color fading, yellowing, loss of mechanical strength and less durability. It is, therefore, an imperative need for the manufacturers to make sure that the quality of textile materials and fabrics does not get compromised.
There are two methods for testing and improving the quality of fabrics and textiles. One method is called the Direct method. In this we expose the textile and fabric into the environmental conditions. These materials are then tested in these harsh conditions and are evaluated by us. There is a big drawback to this method which is its time. It can take days, weeks and sometimes years to get the correct results. To counter this, another methods is also established by the scientists. It is called Accelerated Weather Testing. This method is very among the manufacturers as it gives best results in a very short time. This article aims to discuss the method of accelerated weather testing, its significance and benefits.
Accelerated Weather Testing
An Accelerated Weather Testing is a methodology to test the performance of textiles and fabrics under harsh environmental conditions. It is done by subjecting the textile and fabrics to harsh environmental conditions. These include exposure to UV rays, rain, moisture and other atmospheric pollutants. It works on the same principles as climate chambers. It tests the properties of textiles and fabrics under controlled environmental conditions. These conditions are of course simulated by the manufacturers to reach their objective. These tests are conducted at a relatively quicker speed which gives time to make appropriate improvements in the materials.
Significance of Accelerated Weather Testing
Accelerated weather testing holds tremendous amounts of significance in our daily lives. It has huge importance in domestic as well as industrial applications. The major significant features of accelerated weather testing are as follows:
- Quality Assurance
- Research and Development
- Agreement with the Industrial Standards.
These features are explained below:
· Quality Assurance
One of the fundamental reason for employing accelerated weather testing is to assure quality of the material. No manufacturer in the world would want their material to be of low quality. For this purpose, the manufacturers subject these materials under high-stress conditions. This makes them confident about improving their material’s quality. All the textiles and fabric which are tested and approved by this method have a proven long-term quality standard.
· Research and Development
Accelerating weather testing chambers provide a great deal of help for the engineers to research and develop their materials. This gives them added help to conduct an in-depth analysis of their material and make sure that their material has strong mechanical properties. This also bestows confidence in the manufacturers that their textile and fabric can endure the harsh environmental conditions. This has tremendous effects on the accelerating process of research and development.
· Agreement with Industrial Standards
All the industries in the world, belonging to different sectors have standards for their products. These standards are the parameters ono the basis of which product is evaluated. These are extremely important for the proper functioning of industries and market. Accelerating weather tests help manufacturers in adhering to these standards and producing the best materials for the market. This further helps in satisfying the consumer base because all standards are made to satisfy consumer market.
Testing Methodologies
There are several testing methods used in accelerating weather tests. Some are given below:
- Xenon Arc Testing
- Moisture Exposure
- Fluorescent UV Testing
- Thermal Cycling
- Salt Spray Testing
In addition to these methods, several other methods are also opting to test and accelerate the performance of textiles and fabrics.
Benefits
There are many benefit of accelerating weather testing for textiles and fabrics. Some are mentioned below:
1. Fast Results
Accelerating weather tests evaluate the performance of fabric and textiles really quickly. This allows the manufacturers to make quick improvements before launching them into market.
2. Accuracy and Precision
These tests offer high accuracy and precision. This helps in mitigating as many defects as possible. This also assures healthy development of textiles and fabrics for tough environment.
3. Consistency
With accuracy and precision, accelerating weather tests have also consistent results due to their control environmental evaluation.
4. Cost-effectiveness
The most important benefit it offers is cost-effectiveness. It highlights all the potential defects in the material early on and makes sure that only one revision is required for its improvement. This results in many cost savings for the manufacturers. This saved money then can be used in research and development process of these materials.
Conclusion
To conclude, accelerate weather tests are extremely important to check the textiles and fabrics before they enter market. This helps in maintaining and improving the mechanical and environmental properties of these materials. This benefits consumer market in many dimensions.
