8. Special use of environmental testing

Plastics have long been used by manufacturers of equipment and machinery intended for storage and/or use in harsh environmental conditions. Compared to metals, plastics generally show little deterioration in such environments.

This is particularly true in environments where heat and humidity predominate, and which are sometimes referred to as "tropical environments". This term, which is far too specific to one region of the globe, should be replaced by a more general term such as "high heat and humidity", conditions which it almost always implies, and to which should be added the idea of temperature variations (particularly diurnal/nocturnal).

The influence of sunlight must also be taken into account.

These conditions may exist in other climates, as well as in specific industrial environments (e.g. steelmaking, food...