SAE J576_200701

This SAE Recommended Practice provides test methods and requirements to evaluate the suitability of plastic material or materials intended for optical applications in motor vehicles. The tests are intended to determine physical and optical characteristics of the material or materials only. Performance expectations of finished assemblies, including plastic components, are to be based on tests for lighting devices, as specified in SAE Standards and Recommended Practices for motor vehicle lighting equipment. Field experience has shown that plastic material or materials meeting the requirements of this document and molded in accordance with good molding practices will produce durable lighting devices. Combinations of materials rather than a single material can sometimes be useful to enhance performance or appearance of motor vehicle lighting devices. This revision modifies the previous version by clarifying that multiple materials in combination as well as single materials can be to be used in optical parts such as lenses and reflex reflectors of motor vehicle lighting devices. It further clarifies that the performance of multiple materials can be judged acceptable either by testing and evaluating each material separately or testing and evaluating them in combination as they will be used in the device. It should be noted that the performance (e.g. chromaticity coordinates, weather resistance etc.) of multiple materials might only be acceptable when evaluated in combination. No requirements were added, deleted or changed. The references were updated to versions current in August 2006.