Weathering tests are the most important material, component and vehicle tests. With imat you can ensure the function and service life of parts, components and vehicles in arid climates (hot and dry climate zone) and tropical climates (warm and humid climate zone). Painted or laminated components, electronic components or entire cockpits are tested in the installation position of a test vehicle. With our two test areas in South Africa, we cover the climate zones similar to Arizona and Florida in the USA.
The focus of outdoor weathering is on chemical and physical signs of ageing. These include changes in color and gloss, delamination effects, deformation, dimensional changes and gaps. In the outdoor weathering of complete vehicles, functional tests during the weathering period are also part of our service in South Africa. The outdoor weathering tests at imat take place in the South African Kalahari Desert, in the KwaZulu-Natal region on the Indian Ocean, on our own test areas. If your requirements call for outdoor weathering in other regions of the world, imat`s engineers will of course also be happy to assist you with the implementation.
In addition to the actual outdoor weathering, our employees also prepare test setups and equip parts, components and vehicles with the necessary sensors. We organize the transport and collection of components and vehicles, including customs clearance to the desired test field.
The Kalahari Desert provides ideal conditions for the long-term weathering of vehicles and materials in a hot and dry climate (classification according to the Köppen-Geiger model).
The maximum temperatures are comparable to those in Arizona, but the fluctuations between day and night and summer and winter are higher.
Upington:
Highest temperature >40°C / Lowest temperature -4°C
Total irradiation 2278 kWh/m²
UV 97 kWh/m²
Sun, salt and humidity accelerate ageing
Richards Bay, which is located in the Kwazulu-Natal region on the Indian Ocean, has warm and humid weather conditions. In addition, there is a higher salt content in the air, making Richards Bay comparable to Florida.At our test site, there are opportunities to store vehicles, materials and components in the open air for longer periods of time. Richards Bay has a constantly high humidity of around 75 to 80 percent all year round. The temperature range throughout the year extends from 5°C to 40°C.
Richards Bay:
Highest temperature ~40 °C / Lowest temperature ~5 °C
Total irradiation 1675 kWh/m²
UV 60 kWh/m²
Comparison of the climate data of South Africa with Florida and Arizona
The seasons are offset in South Africa due to its location in the southern hemisphere. Thus, the hottest period is during the northern winter, the coldest months are June and July .
