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The History Of Fogging Test In The Automotive Industry

The History Of Fogging Test In The Automotive Industry

Automotive interiors typically contain flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), from instrument panels to faux leather. Over the years, a hazy film appears on the inside of car windshields; this is what is referred to as fog. As described in SAE J1756, fog is the tendency of interior materials used in automobiles and other vehicles to produce a light scattering film on glass surfaces.
 
What changes in the automotive industry have driven the need for fog testing and the reduction of SVOC outgassing?
 Closed cars (1930’s)
  -Open cars had allowed any VOC gasses to escape 
  -Closed cars also increased the interior temperatures
 Vinyl use in interiors (late 1950’s)
  -As more and more plastics get used in automotive interiors, more VOC gasses are released
 Air conditioning (1980’s standard equipment on most cars)
  -With air conditioning more owners drive with their windows up
 Improved sealing (mid 1990’s)
  -Fewer places for VOC gasses to escape on their own
  -Improved seals also emit VOC gasses
 Xenon Headlights (2000’s)
  -Operate at high temperatures that heat surrounding polymers
  -SVOC’s can coat the inside of the headlight lens reducing and scattering light output 
 
 

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