Number

2.6.29.1
Subject
UV Radiation Exposure of E-Textiles

Date Revision
02/2025

IPC-TM-650 Gage R&R:

o Complete ☑ In Progress o Available o NO

TEST METHODS MANUAL Originating Task Group:

D-74b E-Textiles Exposure and Durability Test Methods
Task Group

1 SCOPE
This test method is used for determining the change of one or more functionally relevant parameters in e-textiles as a result of
exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

1.1 Principles of Test The e-textile is exposed to UV radiation under specified climate conditions for an extended amount of
time while observing a change of one or more relevant functional parameters throughout testing or at regular intervals.

1.2 Terms and Definitions

1.2.1 Critical Area The areas of e-textiles that have a higher tendency of failure compared to other areas (e.g., joints, connection
points, textile electrodes) or that if affected will negatively impact product functionality or the product capability to operate as
intended.

1.2.2 Data Recorder A measuring device used to record electrical resistance or electrical continuity.

1.2.3 Exposure Time Duration of active irradiation.

1.2.4 Irradiance (W/m2) This is the total amount of radiant D

power incident on a surface per unit area.

1.2.5 Radiant Power (W) This is the total amount of energy

emitted by a UV radiation source per unit of time. A
1.2.6 Ultraviolet Radiant Exposure (J/m2) This is the cumulative
amount of ultraviolet radiation received by a surface over a B
time interval.

1.2.7 Ultraviolet Radiation Source A radiation source, such as

a xenon arc gas lamp, that emits electromagnetic energy across
the spectral range of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which spans
from 100 nm to 400 nm. This includes UV sources for UVA,
UVB and UVC radiation.

2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS C
2.1 International Organization for Standardization (ISO)1
Figure 1 UV Exposure Test of E-Textile Specimen
A – UV radiation B – Environmental chamber
ISO 139 Textiles Standard atmospheres for conditioning and C – E-textile D – UV source
testing

1 www.iso.org

IPC disclaims all liability of any kind as to the use, application, or adaptation
of this material. Equipment referenced is for the convenience of the user and
does not imply endorsement by IPC.
Page 1 of 3
Copyright 2025 by IPC International, Inc. All rights reserved.
 IPC-TM-650
Number Subject Date
2.6.29.1 UV Radiation Exposure of E-Textiles 02/2025
Revision

3 TEST SPECIMENS

3.1 Specimen Preconditioning All test specimens shall be conditioned for ≥ 24 hours according to ISO 139. If other conditions
are used, they shall be reported in the test results.

3.2 Specimen Description The specimens shall be able to fit inside the environmental chamber in a way that the critical area(s)
is/are uniformly and actively irradiated by the UV source (see Figure 1). If the whole e-textile specimen is too large to fit into
the chamber in this manner, a smaller specimen containing the critical area(s) shall be cut from the e-textile.
If applicable, remove insulation from conductive structures for data recorder attachment.

3.3 Number of Specimens The number of test specimens shall be defined to respect the statistical treatment (at least five / at
least five per affected critical area).

4 APPARATUS

4.1 Environmental chamber, which is a controlled testing enclosure with humidity and temperature control mechanisms for
simulating various environmental conditions. The chamber shall be outfitted with a UV fluorescent lamp (a xenon arc lamp is
preferable), a timer and a radiometer (which measures the total radiant power of the UV radiation received by the test specimen)
for continuous monitoring.

4.2 Data recorder for functional testing

5 TEST PROCEDURE

5.1 Using the data recorder, measure the initial value of the relevant functional parameter(s). Conduct a visual inspection of
the specimen prior to testing.

5.2 Chose a UV radiation source capable of providing target levels of irradiance and radiant power to achieve target levels of
UV radiant exposure. The choice of UV radiation should reflect use case related exposure conditions.

5.3 Choose testing conditions from Table 1 that most closely resemble the use case of the e-textile and set the environmental
chamber accordingly. The use of accelerated testing conditions is not recommended, due to the possibility of excessive damages
and different materials reacting differently to accelerated conditions.

Page 2 of 3
Copyright 2025 by IPC International, Inc. All rights reserved.
 IPC-TM-650
Number Subject Date
2.6.29.1 UV Radiation Exposure of E-Textiles 02/2025
Revision

Table 1 Environmental Testing Conditions

Environment Classification Temperature Relative Humidity (RH)

Ambient Temperature 21 °C, ±5 °C [70 °F, ± 41 °F] 65%, ±10%
Extreme Cold -20 °C, ±2 °C [-4 °F, ± 36 °F] ---
Cold/Dry 5 °C, ±3 °C [41 °F, ± 38 °F] 25%
Cold/Humid 5° C, ±3 °C [41 °F, ± 38 °F] 85%, ±5%
Warm/Humid 30 °C, ±3 °C [86 °F, ± 38 °F] 90%, ±5%
Tropical 40 °C, ±2 °C [104 °F, ± 36 °F] 90%, ±5%
Hot/Dry 50 °C, ±3 °C [122 °F, ± 38 °F] 25%, ±5%
Desert 60 °C, ±2 °C [140 °F, ± 36 °F] 15%, ±5%

5.4 Specimens shall be flatly positioned and free of wrinkles or folds when placed inside the chamber.

5.5 Expose the e-textile specimen to the chosen conditions up to the target exposure time.

5.6 Testing may be paused before the target testing time is reached to do intermediate checks of the functional parameters. If
possible, continuous monitoring of the parameters during the exposure is advised.

5.7 After the test is performed, repeat the measurement of the functional parameters.

6 TEST REPORT
The report shall contain the following information:
• Date and time of test
• Testing location and name of tester
• Environmental test conditions (if differing from ISO 139)
• Number of test specimens
• Description of test specimens (size, cutting direction (warp/weft (wovens), course/wale (knits)), type of critical area,
location of critical area within specimen, etc.)
• Description/Specifications of testing equipment
• Testing parameters/specifications if variation is possible (UV radiation levels and type, climate conditions, test
duration, other info)
• Time intervals for intermediate testing
• Test results (parameter values before, during (if applicable) and after testing); if applicable: plotting of parameter
values over time / cycle count)
• Results of visual inspection before, during (if applicable) and after testing
• Any deviations from the presented methods
• Comments

Page 3 of 3
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