ABSTRACT
Solar ultraviolet ray is known as a severe degradation factor for polymeric building materials. The results of weather-o-meter test are compared with the results of natural outdoor exposure test, and are discussed reffering to UV energy. However, there is another degradation mechanism. Neglecting the effect of heat, which dominates oxidation of polymer and accelerates photo-chemical reactions, causes less preciseness. In this paper author proposes a service life prediction system of polymeric building materials based on a mathematical deterioration model expressing the property change as a function of UV, heat and elapsed time. By introducing this model, a personal computer software system has been developed. Computer calculates the deterioration material constants in the model and estimates the property decrease in service environment.
