Accelerated, Natural Results
AIM Boxes are under-glass enclosures that simulate the sunlight and heat found inside an automobile. These important environmental stressors result in color change, cracking, peeling, oxidation, or loss of strength of materials in car and truck interiors. AIM boxes can accelerate these stressors by tracking the sun throughout the day. AIM boxes are suitable for mounting large components like instrument panels, seat cushions, and steering wheels. Small, flat specimens can also be mounted to test samples like interior trim.
AIM box testing is highly affordable, and available at Q-Lab’s ISO 17025 accredited facilities in Florida and our world-leading Q-Lab Arizona Desert Testing site.
Realistic Simulation
Testing automotive interiors can be different from testing other materials because air and material temperatures inside a vehicle can far exceed the temperature outside it. Components can reach 100 °C or more in warmer climates behind glass. Furthermore, the light that reaches internal components is filtered by automotive glass, making it different from natural sunlight. This changes the light spectrum that must be tested for in order to achieve a realistic result.
The environment inside an AIM box is carefully controlled. A black panel sensor monitors the temperature inside the box. At a pre-determined temperature set point, fans turn on to cool the specimens, creating a precise and realistic testing environment.
Some AIM boxes can perform precision azimuth tracking of the sun throughout the day, as well as vertical tracking. As a result, specimens are exposed to more solar radiation, which results in faster tests without sacrificing accuracy.
TRUE-AIM Boxes for Greater Acceleration
To increase the total amount of solar radiation exposure, Q-Lab’s proprietary new TRUE (Tracking Reflecting Ultra Exposure) AIM box uses highly-reflective mirrors and dual-axis tracking (azimuth and elevation) to focus more sunlight into the box interior. This technique approximately doubles the total sunlight received by specimens every day.
Test Methods
AIM box testing from Q-Lab meets a variety of automotive industry test methods, a portion of which are shown below. Visit our Standards Search tool or contact Q-Lab for a more complete list.
- GM 2617M, 3619M (withdrawn), 7454M, 7455M, 9538P
- GMW 3417
- Ford DVM 0020
- ASTM G201
Different types of glass can be specified in order to meet different standards.
Q-Lab conducts all exposure tests and evaluations in accordance with appropriate test methods from ASTM, ISO, BSI, DIN, JIS, SAE, and other recognized organizations, in accordance with ISO 17025.
Cost-Effective
AIM boxes generate real-world results in a fraction of the time of natural exposures. This means that new formulations or products can be brought to market faster, saving time and effort. Additionally, Q-Lab’s AIM box testing services are extremely affordable – programs start at less than the cost of a cup of coffee per day.
Industries and Applications
Learn about the broad range of industries and applications for which weathering testing is critical.
Document Library
Browse Q-Lab’s extensive library of weathering testing literature and technical content.
Standards
Review setup and performance information on key international and OEM test standards from ASTM, ISO, SAE, JIS, GB, and more.