Fog testing is a method to recreate automotive interior outgassing in a timely, measurable and repeatable way, utilizing various standards including DIN, ISO and SAE. The purpose of this testing is to assist material manufacturers in identifying and developing products that outgas SVOCs at a reduced rate. This will allow the automotive manufacturers to verify and utilize these products, lessening the risk of poor visibility due to SVOC condensing on windshields.This testing may also prove useful for aircraft and recreational vehicles where SVOCs condensing on the windshield will also present a safety hazard.
A new area for the fogging test within the automobile industry is HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlight components. HID lights operate at high temperatures in a micro-environment typically comprised of a polymer reflector and lense and the glass HID bulb. The outgassed SVOCs re-condense on all surfaces of the bulb, reflector and lens when the HID light is turned off. The resultant film reduces light transmittal from all components and refracts or scatters the light in undesirable directions, potentially reducing night time visibility for the driver.
Test Methods：
Fogging tester applies to the following test methods:
1) Gloss Method: the sample cup is heated by the fog evaporated gas condensing on cold glass by glass gloss values were compared before and after condensation and calculated, the sample can be drawn into the fog value.
2) Gravimetric method: the sample cup is heated by the fog evaporated gas condensing on cold aluminum foil, aluminum foil condensed by weighing before and after the change in weight, the sample can be drawn from the atomization - the weight of condensate.
3) Haze method: the sample cup is heated by the fog evaporated gas condensing on cold glass, through the haze value before and after the glass condensate compare and calculate, the sample can be drawn into the fog value.
