Application Note

ANTCFOGTEST0311
Understanding a Fog Testing System
Scott Pratt, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Newington, NH, USA

Key Words: Abstract more than one sample/analysis components and refracts or scatters
High surface and interior technique to fully characterize the light in undesirable directions,
• Fogging test temperatures cause the polymers, organic emissions. Because of this, potentially reducing night time
• Outgassing textiles and natural materials fog testing may find uses in the visibility for the driver.
• Volatile compounds used in automotive interiors to construction and retrofitting of While fog testing was originally
• SVOC outgas volatile and semi-volatile aircraft, passenger rail, cruise ship, created for the automotive industry,
• DIN 75201 organic compounds (VOC and recreational vehicles and glass there are other industries where this
• ISO 6452/2000 SVOC) at an accelerated rate. The office buildings. type of testing could prove useful.
• SAE J1756 SVOCs then condense onto the The concern for visibility, safety
• Gravimetric method cooler surface of the windshield Introduction and the economic impact of SVOCs
• Haze method potentially creating a visibility and The term “Fogging” refers to the condensing on glass applies to
• Reflectometric safety problem for the driver. film that collects on the inside of any form of public transportation,
method Fog testing is a method to vehicle window glass. Of particular recreational vehicles, aircraft, buses
• Photometric method recreate automotive interior out- interest is the windshield, because and trains.
• Fogging method gassing in a timely, measurable and this film can both limit light
• Gloss method repeatable way, utilizing various transmittal as well as refract the The Methods
standards including DIN, ISO and light that is transmitted, impairing The German Institute for
SAE. The purpose of this testing visibility and creating safety Standardization has created the
is to assist material manufacturers concerns. A fogging test system is standard DIN 75201 that defines
in identifying and developing designed to determine the fogging test procedures and conditions for
products that outgas SVOCs at a value as defined in the various fog testing in motor vehicles (i.e.,
reduced rate. This will allow the standards (see Table 1) as well as automobiles, trains and planes)
automotive manufacturers to verify compare types of materials used in which determine the amount
and utilize these products, lessening vehicle cabins. of undesirable evaporation and
the risk of poor visibility due to A new area for the fogging test condensing of SVOCs from the
SVOC condensing on windshields.  within the automobile industry is material being tested.
This testing may also prove useful HID (High Intensity Discharge) Thermo Fisher Scientific supplies
for aircraft and recreational headlight components. HID lights the test equipment required to
vehicles where SVOCs condensing operate at high temperatures in measure fogging behaviors in
on the windshield will also present a micro-environment typically accordance with the DIN, SAE and
a safety hazard. comprised of a polymer reflector ISO standards (see Table 1).
As science and industry strive and lense and the glass HID bulb. The standards outline three
to further decrease indoor organic The outgassed SVOCs re-condense methods for determining the
emissions and lower maintenance on all surfaces of the bulb, reflector fogging characteristics of interior
costs for transportation, public and lens when the HID light is materials in motor vehicles, marine
transportation and interior spaces, turned off. The resultant film and aircraft. The materials tested
it may be necessary to involve reduces light transmittal from all include plastic interior trim,
polyurethane, textiles, leather,
Standard Title adhesives, elastomers, etc.
DIN 75201: “Determination of the windscreen fogging characteristics DIN 75201 as described below
of trim materials in motor vehicles” was the original standard for fog
ISO 17071: “Leather - physical and mechanical tests - determination of testing. Currently it is only in use
DIN EN 14288: fogging characteristics” for the testing of leather while
ISO 6452: “Rubber- or plastic coated fabrics - determination of various ISO and SAE standards,
fogging characteristics of trim materials in the interior of whose origins are based on DIN
automobiles” 75201, are the current standards
SAE J1756 “Determination of the fogging characteristics and interior for polymers and polymer-coated
automotive materials” fabric.
Table 1: Common Fogging Test Standards

1

Fogging Behavior DIN 75201
Reflectometric method, photometric
method, fogging method, gloss method
According to this method, a
prepared sample is placed in a
beaker that is then covered with a
glass plate. The plate’s Reflective
Index has been measured and
recorded using a handheld
reflectometer. For a period of
three hours the sample is heated
to 100°C, while the glass plate is
cooled to 21°C. The heat causes
the sample to release SVOC gasses
Fogging Behavior DIN 75201
Gravimetric method
According to this method, a
prepared sample is placed in a
beaker that is then covered with
an aluminium foil disk. The disk’s
mass has been measured and
recorded. For a period of sixteen
hours the sample is heated to
100°C, while the aluminium foil
disk is cooled to 21°C. The heat
causes the sample to release SVOC
gasses that condense on the cooled
aluminium foil disk creating a
Horizon Fog Testing System with
Accel 250 LC Laboratory Chiller
Fogging Behavior DIN 75201-A
Haze method
The hazing method uses the same
In addition to these offices,
Thermo Fisher Scientific
maintains a network of
representative organizations
throughout the world.
Benelux
Tel. +31 (0) 76 579 55 55
info.tc.nl@thermofisher.com

that condense on the cooled glass “Fog” (F) that has a measurable
plate creating a “Fog” (F). The mass (m). The amount of fogging
Reflective Index of the fogged glass condensate is determined by
is measured and recorded. weighing the aluminium foil disk
Fogging value (Fv) is expressed again after the test and subtracting
as a percent of change in the 60° the known mass of the same
Reflective Index of a glass plate aluminium foil disk before fogging.
that has been fogged in accordance
mF = m2 – m1
with the procedures (R1) to a clean
glass plate (R2). mF = the mass of the fog
Fv = (R2 x 100)/R1 condensate collected during the test
m1 = the initial mass of the disc
Where: of aluminum foil (milligrams)
Fv = Fogging value m2 = the mass of the disc of
R1 = the mean initial reflective aluminum foil with the fogging
index of the glass plate with the condensate (milligrams)
fogging condensate
R2 = the mean initial reflective
This is the preferred method
index of the glass plate
because the longer run time and
simple measurements increase
DIN specifies the maximum
accuracy while minimizing errors
value for Fv in this test at 90%.
inherent in the reflectometric
method such as contaminated or
damaged glass, using the incorrect
side of the glass, or errors in
measuring the reflective index.
Test Method Standard
Gravimetric DIN 75201-B; ISO 17071; DIN EN 14288-B; ISO 6452-B;
SAE J 1756:
PV 3015
GME 60326-A; GMW 3235-B:
TSM05036-B:
D45 1727
Reflective DIN 75201-A; DIN EN 14288-A; ISO 6452-A:
PV 3015; PV 3920:
TSM05036-B; D45 1727
Haze-measurement DIN 75201-A:
HES D6508-95  product.
MS 300-54
process as the reflectometric but China
instead of measuring the Reflective Tel. +81 3 5826 1616
info.tc.china@thermofisher.com
Index of the glass, a haze meter is
used. The haze meter measures the France
light transmission through the glass Tel. +33 (0) 1 60 92 48 00
info.tc.fr@thermofisher.com
plate both before and after the
fogging process. Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 721 4 09 44 44
info.tc.de@thermofisher.com
It is worth noting that the
India
proprietary standards of individual Tel. +91 (22) 27 78 11 01
companies often use different Contact.lpg.in@thermofisher.com
temperatures and time periods to Japan
achieve specific results. (See Table 2). Tel. +81 45 453 9220
info.lpg.jp@thermofisher.com
Conclusion USA
The German Institute for Tel. 603 436 9444
info.tc.us@thermofisher.com
Standardization worked with
Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop www.thermoscientific.com/tc
the fogging test equipment used
in the DIN 75-201 standard
that determines the out gassing
of materials in motor vehicles.
Over the years, derivatives of
this standard have been created
and are now used in various
industries. Because of the
consistent, repeatable results of
the Thermo Scientific Horizon
Fogging Test System, it continues
to be the equipment of choice for
every standard. While the effort
© 2011 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
to clean an individual automotive
All rights reserved. All trademarks are
windshield is minimal, creating, the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific
identifying and utilizing materials and its subsidiaries. This document is
for informational purposes only and is
that emit SVOCs at a reduced rate
subject to change without notice.
is key to public safety, reduced
maintenance expenses, and the
customer perception of a quality

Table 2: Fogging test standards & methods used by automotive manufacturers ANTCFOGTEST0311