AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR MATERIALS (AIM) BOX

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Accelerated, Natural Results

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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 Arizona.

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Realistic Simulation

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Testing automotive interiors can be different from testing other materials because air temperatures inside a vehicle can far exceed the temperature outside it. Materials can reach 100°C or more in warmer climates. 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 a result, specimens are exposed to more solar radiation which results in faster tests without sacrificing accuracy.

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Test Methods

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AIM box testing from Q-Lab meets a variety of automotive industry test methods, a portion of which are shown below. Visit our Standards Page or contact Q-Lab for a more complete list. 

• GM 2617M, 3619M, 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.