ISO 4582-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 4582:2017 — Plastics — Determination of changes in colour and variations in properties after exposure to glass-filtered solar radiation, natural weathering or laboratory radiation sources. This International Standard specifies procedures for measuring appearance changes (colour and other visual properties) and any associated variations in mechanical or other properties of plastics after exposure to specified natural or simulated light environments.

Abstract

ISO 4582:2017 describes standardized methods to quantify colour change and related property changes in plastic materials caused by exposure to glass‑filtered solar radiation, natural weathering, or laboratory radiation sources. The standard defines sample preparation and conditioning, measurement techniques for destructive and non‑destructive tests, and data analysis procedures to characterise and report changes in appearance and performance following exposure.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (replaced by a later edition published in 2025).
• Publication date: August 2017 (2017-08).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 (Plastics in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2017).
• Number of pages: 16 pages (ISO official listing).

Scope

ISO 4582:2017 applies to plastics and gives methods to determine changes in colour and other appearance properties and to detect variations in mechanical or other properties after exposure to (a) glass‑filtered solar radiation, (b) natural outdoor weathering, or (c) simulated solar radiation from laboratory light sources. The standard distinguishes data-analysis procedures depending on whether the post‑exposure test is destructive or non‑destructive, and it references the exposure conditions described in specific exposure standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terminology for colour and appearance changes in plastics.
• Requirements for specimen preparation, labelling and conditioning before exposure.
• Standardized exposure environments: glass‑filtered solar radiation, natural weathering, and laboratory radiation sources (xenon arc, fluorescent UV, etc.).
• Measurement methods for colour and appearance (instrumental colourimetry, visual appraisal) and for associated mechanical/property testing.
• Different analysis paths for destructive vs non‑destructive post‑exposure tests.
• Instructions for data treatment, reporting of results and presentation of uncertainty/repeatability.

Typical use and users

Used by plastics manufacturers, material and product development laboratories, independent test laboratories, quality assurance teams, and spec writers to assess weathering and lightfastness of polymeric materials and finished plastic products. It supports product specification, comparative evaluation of formulations, failure analysis and regulatory or procurement testing where appearance retention and property stability under light exposure are relevant.

Related standards

ISO 4582 is closely related to the ISO 4892 series (methods of exposure to laboratory light sources and accelerated weathering), ISO 16474 (methods for paints and coatings), and other weathering and UV‑exposure test standards. Practitioners commonly use ISO 4892‑1/2/3/4 for defining exposure devices and cycles when implementing the exposures referenced by ISO 4582. Equivalent or complementary standards from other bodies (ASTM, EN) are also used for specific test methods or applications.

Keywords

plastics; weathering; colour change; lightfastness; appearance; accelerated ageing; xenon-arc; fluorescent UV; natural weathering; ISO 4582.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 4582:2017 is an ISO International Standard that specifies test methods for determining changes in colour and related variations in properties of plastics following exposure to glass‑filtered solar radiation, natural weathering, or laboratory radiation sources.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation and conditioning, exposure types (natural and simulated), measurement techniques for appearance and property changes, and data‑analysis procedures appropriate for destructive or non‑destructive testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Plastics producers, product development and R&D teams, independent test laboratories, quality control/assurance departments, and standards/specification authors use this standard to evaluate and compare the weathering performance of plastic materials and products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition is listed as withdrawn and has been superseded by a later edition (ISO 4582:2025). For current requirements and the latest text, consult the 2025 edition or your national standards body.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 4582 is used in the context of the broader family of plastics weathering and light‑exposure standards (notably the ISO 4892 series and related parts of ISO 16474), which together cover exposure devices, cycles and related test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: plastics, weathering, colour change, appearance, accelerated ageing, xenon‑arc, fluorescent UV, natural exposure, ISO 4582.