Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

 *Radiant Exposure measured at latitude tilt angle (34o South)

Average Monthly UV and Total Radiant Exposure for Central Arizona (MJ/m2) (34o SOUTH)

Atlas has pioneered outdoor accelerated testing since their development of the Trac Rac® in the early 1900s. Atlas, primarily at its site in Phoenix, offers the variety of outdoor accelerated services that are listed below. For more information on these and other services, please e-mail us by clicking on the appropriate link below or call +1-800-255-3738.

Ultra-Accelerated Exposure Testing
This outdoor testing device can provide approximately 63 years of South Florida UV radiation exposure in a single year.

EMMAQUA®
A fresnel-reflecting solar concentration device. Sunlight is concentrated onto specimens with 10 mirrors for 8-sun intensity.

Temperature Controlled EMMAQUA®
Atlas now offers a solution to control temperature for the EMMAQUA.

IP/DP Box®
An under glass testing device for complete automotive assemblies such as door panels and steering wheels.

Atlas Weather Station
The Atlas Weather Station is ideal for customers who want to have their own test sites or who want to map various global climates.

Window Energy Analysis

Shading Coefficient and U-Value Analysis

The proper determination of the Shading Coefficient (SC) for a window system provides important marketing and technical data for that system. The SC, along with the U-Value of a particular fenestration, permits the designer to perform heat gain and heat loss calculations, important in today's competitive marketplace. By definition, a Shading Coefficient is the ratio of solar heat gain through a glazing system to the solar heat gain through a single lite of double-strength sheet glass, when both are tested under a specific set of conditions. The U-Value is the overall coefficient of heat transmission through a window system.

 Calculation of Shading Coefficient and U-Value 

 Using methods based on the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, the SC and winter and summer U-Values can be calculated. However, these calculations can only be performed on smooth surface window systems and they require separate measurements of thermal emittance, solar transmittance, and solar reflectance of each window surface. 

 NFRC Ratings 

 Window energy analysis testing is offered in accordance with NFRC 200-93 standard. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) recently began implementing a nationwide energy performance rating and labelling system for all fenestration products, allowing consumers and builders to directly compare window systems energy characteristics. For suppliers seeking to meet the requirements of NFRC 200-93, Atlas Weathering Services Group performs the necessary solar optical property measurements and calculations. NFRC 200-93 specifies a method to calculate Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC) for fenestration products. Spectrophotometric and color measurement equipment is available for testing to ASTM E903 requirements to determine solar optical properties such as SHGC and daylight transmission. This test applies to spectroradiometric measurements of solar spectral transmittance and reflectance, and calculations of the weighted solar transmittance and reflectance, visible transmittance, and color indices. Average solar properties are required to determine solar heat gain as specified in NFRC 200-93.

Environmental Test Services

Atlas' test capabilities in the field of environmental testing include Temperature/Humidity Cycling, High Temperature, Low Temperature, and Temperature Shock conducted in accordance with the appropriate MIL-STD specifications. Temperature/Humidity Testing (MIL-STD-810D, 202D, etc.) Number of Chambers: 2 Volume: 1.7 m3 (64 ft3) Interior Dimensions: 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.2 m (4 x 4 x 4 ft) Temperature Range: -73¡ C to 175¡ C (-100¡ F to 350¡ F) Humidity Range: 20 to 95% 

 CRRC Testing 

 The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) has designated Atlas Weathering Services Group as the "first" approved Test Farm facility for the CRRC's Product Rating Program. To earn the coveted CRRC rating, roofing manufacturers and sellers must perform weathering tests through Atlas for three years at locations in Florida (hot/humid), Arizona (hot/dry), and Chicago (cold/temperate). 

 The CRRC's product rating program is designed to provide third-party verification of weathered performance claims to help purchasers in the selection of cool roofs that save energy and reduce a building's impact on the environment. 

 The CRRC's rating program authorizes manufactures and sellers to label roofing products to indicate their Initial Radiative Properties and Aged Radiative Properties. Certification is a three-stage process:

1. All production-line roofing products must be initially tested by an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL) in order to assess their Initial Radiative Properties. 
2. The products must then be weather-tested at the Atlas Approved Test Farms. 
3. Finally, after weathering the roofing products at Atlas facilities, an Aged Radiative Property can be determined by an AITL.

CRRC schedules four weathering cycles during the year - commencing March 21st, June 21st, September 21st and December 21st. Test Specimens must be provided to Atlas's Arizona facility at least 10 days prior to those dates to ensure timely distribution to all test farm locations.  The Cool Roof Rating Council was created in 1998 to develop accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance (radiative properties) of roofing products, and to disseminate the information to all interested parties. Based in Oakland, California, the CRRC is incorporated as a non-profit educational organization.

Radiometer Calibrations

Radiometer Calibration 

 Atlas is proud to offer a solar radiometer calibration service that has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025-1999 requirements. These radiometers include pyranometers and pyrheliometers, which are used mainly to measure total sunlight which need calibration directly traceable to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) and radiometers that are used to measure total or narrow-band ultraviolet radiation which need traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These calibrations are performed according to ASTM standard methods and a Certificate of Calibration is issued that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. 

 Calibrations Available: Method for Transfer of Calibration from Reference to Field Radiometers (E824-94) and Standard Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometer by comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers (E816-95).

Special Project Testing

Atlas offers specialized custom designed services, thus allowing our clients to evaluate critical items for test performances under various conditions. Atlas understands that each client has his own sophisticated needs. Therefore, we work hard at living up to our motto: "we test everything under the sun." As the need arises, we can provide the test These capabilities range from automotive assemblies such as windshields and bumpers to complete vehicles. We test building industry and construction materials such as doors, windows, skylights, frames, roofing and siding. Special projects at Atlas may vary from leisure items such as toys or golfballs to environmental concerns such as photodegradable plastics. 

Atlas offers a wide range of evaluation and measurement services for our client's specimens during and after the weathering process. These services are available at Atlas' Miami, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona sites. Atlas uses the most advanced instrumentation from leading manufacturers for measuring appearance properties such as color change, gloss, distinctness-of-image, transmittance and reflectance. All of our services meet the latest measurement test standards from organizations such as ASTM, ISO, DIN and others. A full range of visual assessment services is also available, including coating adhesion, blistering, chalking, cracking, mildew growth, and gray scale evaluation in accordance with respective standards' organizations. Temperature monitoring programs are provided for single and multiple specimens under any type of exposure, as well as for large assemblies such as complete vehicles. Strict quality control guidelines have enabled Atlas' Evaluations Laboratory to achieve industry-accepted accreditation from world renowned standards' organizations. Atlas is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and accredited or approved by Ford, GM and AMECA. For any additional information, please e-mail us at infoatlas-mts.com or call at 1-800-255-3738 or (623) 465-7356.

Color Measurements 

 Spectrophotometric color measurements are offered at both the Florida and the Arizona test site. All European sites perform color measurements using a Minolta Spectrophotometer CM-3600d. The color transmittance or reflectance data can be recorded in several different color coordinate systems, including CIE Lab, HunterLab, CIE XYZ, CMC, yellowness or whiteness indices. Measurement parameters include Illuminants C, D65, F2 and others. We also offer 2° or 10° observers. Reflectance can be performed with the specular included or excluded. Portable spectro-colorimeters are available to perform field measurements. All tests are performed in accordance with industry standards such as ASTM E308, D2244, SAE J1545, ISO 105 B05, ISO 7724-2, ISO 7724-3, and DIN 6174. In addition, each of our laboratories participates in collaborative test service programs, available to the entire industry. The following table gives a full matrix of options for color measurements. 

Availability of scale, attribute and geometric options for color measurements:

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Gloss Measurements

Atlas uses portable and benchtop BYK Gardner glossmeters for both laboratory and field measurements at 20°, 60°, 75°, and 85°. Atlas also offers distinctness-of-reflective-image (DOI) testing. Distinctness-of-reflective-image is easily defined as the sharpness with which an object's outlines are reflected by a surface. This measurement is predominantly used by automotive and architectural coatings manufacturers to characterize a desired appearance for the end product. The HunterLab Dorigon® series of instruments are used to make DOI measurements, as well as narrow angle haze measurements. The following chart lists the applicable test standards met by Atlas for both gloss and DOI testing.

Visual Assessment

 A variety of visual evaluations are available for rating degradation phenomena on specimens associated with the weathering process. Both the Arizona and Florida evaluations labs utilize ASTM pictorial standards to rate failure modes such as: checking, cracking and blistering. Assessment techniques like tape chalk, velvet chalk, adhesion, AATCC or ISO grey scale, edge penetration of glass laminatesare also available. Formal reports are generated using Atlas-developed inspection formats. Special formats following manufacturer's specifications such as GM 7454M or GM 9538P can be provided. Additional services are routinely requested and can usually be satisfied. The following chart lists the applicable test standards realized by Atlas for visual assessment.

Spectrophotometry

Absolute or relative spectral measurements as a function of incident angle that meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM E308 and E903 are available. The instrument is a Beckman 5240 Spectrophotometer, equipped with specially designed integrating spheres. Data for UV-VIS-NIR measurements include a report and one normalization (e.g., solar transmittance or reflectance, color, chromaticity, etc.).

Emittance 

 Emittance measurements can be performed that meet the requirements of ASTM E408. Method A of ASTM E408 uses a Gier-Dunkle DB-100 emissometer, which measures wavelength range of 2.5-40 microns. 

Transmission Haze and Clarity 

 Atlas uses a BYK Gardner Haze-Gard Model 4725 to measure haze, total transmittance, and clarity. This instrument conforms to ASTM D1003 and is used in conjunction with SAE J576 exposure programs. The specimen surface is illuminated perpendicularly with the transmitted light, measured with an integrating sphere (0°/diffuse geometry). The spectral sensitivity conforms to CIE standard spectral value function "Y" under illuminant C with a 2° observer. 

Temperature Studies 

 Temperature data on all types of materials in most configurations can be provided at the Arizona and Florida evaluations labs. Temperature monitoring programs can be provided for single and multiple specimens under any type of exposure, as well as for large assemblies such as complete vehicles. Specialized test programs can be provided to meet almost any requirement. Our sites provide both manual and automatic measurements. Manual, or non-recording, measurements are taken by a hand-held digital thermometer at specified points throughout the day (i.e. solar noon, the hottest part of the day). Automatic, or continuously recording, measurements are taken with a programmed data acquisition system. Daily profiles, ambient temperatures, irradiance measurements, basic statistics, and other reports are available upon request. Data is reported by hard copy tables, graphs and/or sent on a disk in one of several industry-standard spreadsheet programs.