Combined Expertise for Maximum Material Durability

The demands placed on modern coatings and surfaces are constantly increasing. Manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and numerous other industries face the challenge of reliably demonstrating the long-term durability of their products under a wide variety of climatic conditions. At the same time, development times need to be shortened and new materials brought to market more quickly.

By conducting weathering tests in accordance with ASTM D7869, SKZ offers a high-performance solution for this purpose. What sets this apart: Through close collaboration between the independent testing laboratory of SKZ-Testing GmbH and the European Center for Dispersion Technologies (EZD) in Selb, companies receive a range of services unique in Germany—from material development and scientific analysis to independent, standards-compliant testing.

ASTM D7869 – Developed for Realistic Weathering
ASTM D7869 was developed in the late 1990s. The goal was to create a testing method that simulates the natural aging of high-quality exterior coatings even more realistically than previous xenon weathering methods. This was based on the development of a new filter technology that reproduces the natural solar spectrum with exceptional precision.

Unlike traditional weathering methods, ASTM D7869 relies on a combination of high irradiance and particularly frequent and intense humidity cycles. This simulates real-world weathering conditions much more realistically and specifically accelerates aging processes.

Growing Importance Far Beyond the Automotive Industry
ASTM D7869 was originally developed specifically for exterior coatings in the automotive sector. Today, this test method is also gaining increasing importance in other industrial sectors.
These include, among others:

• Automotive and commercial vehicle industry
• Aerospace
• Construction industry and architecture
• Industrial coatings
• High-quality technical and commercial products

As a result, ASTM D7869 is increasingly becoming an international reference method for evaluating durable coating systems.
The SKZ’s particular strength lies in the combination of two ideally complementary areas of expertise.

While the independent testing laboratory at SKZ-Testing GmbH conducts the weathering test in accordance with the standard, the European Center for Dispersion Technologies (EZD) supports companies right from the development stage of new coatings. State-of-the-art analytical methods make it possible to understand aging mechanisms at the molecular level and to specifically identify optimization potential for binders, pigments, or additives.

This provides companies with valuable insights for the further development of their products and enables them to design development processes much more efficiently.

“ASTM D7869 provides realistic insights into the long-term durability of modern coatings. However, combined with the scientific expertise of the EZD, we can offer our customers far more than just conducting a test,” says Dr. Marcus Heindl, Head of the Testing Laboratory at SKZ-Testing GmbH.
Heindl adds: “We help customers understand material changes and identify specific opportunities for optimization. It is precisely this combination of independent testing and scientific analysis that makes our service offering so unique.”

The EZD also sees this close collaboration as providing significant added value for the industry. “Innovations don’t just emerge in the testing lab; they begin during the development of new materials,” explains Dr. Felipe Wolff-Fabris, Site Manager of the European Center for Dispersion Technologies (EZD) in Selb. “Through the close collaboration between the EZD and the independent testing laboratory at the SKZ, we can support companies along the entire value chain—from the formulation of new dispersions and coatings through their production and analytical characterization to the independent verification of their long-term durability. This accelerates development processes and increases confidence in the market launch of new products.”

Research, Development, and Independent Testing Under One Roof
By pooling its expertise, the SKZ creates a comprehensive range of services for manufacturers of innovative coating and material systems. Companies benefit from short lines of communication, a single point of contact, and end-to-end support—from the development of new formulations through their scientific characterization to independent weathering testing in accordance with ASTM D7869.

Through the close integration of research, development, and independent testing, SKZ underscores its commitment to supporting companies throughout the entire innovation process. The combination of the expertise of SKZ-Testing GmbH and the European Center for Dispersion Technologies creates genuine added value: scientifically sound material development, state-of-the-art analytics, and practical testing work together seamlessly. This not only results in robust quality certification for international markets but also yields valuable insights for the development of durable, high-performance, and future-proof products.