Air-cooled Light & Weather Fastness Tester

An air-cooled xenon lamp weathering tester is a device for testing the weathering performance of materials by simulating natural climatic conditions. The tester simulates natural sunlight, oxidation and other climatic conditions by means of a xenon lamp light source system, which enables materials to be evaluated realistically and accurately under different climatic conditions. During the test, the specimen is placed inside the test chamber, and the air circulation formed by the air duct system makes the specimen subject to the effects of different climatic conditions, such as temperature, humidity, ultraviolet rays, sunlight, etc., so as to assess the weathering performance of materials and coatings and improve the reliability and competitiveness of products.

• According to the need to select the correct test parameters, including temperature range, humidity range, radiation spectral distribution and radiation time.
• Ensure the safety and stability of the sample, and promptly dispose of any wastewater, exhaust gas or other waste that may be generated after the test.
• Follow the equipment operation manual and safety operation procedures to ensure the safe use of the test chamber and samples.
• Regularly calibrate the temperature, humidity and radiation parameters of the test chamber to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the test.
• Pay attention to the reasonable use and maintenance of the test chamber, in order to extend the life of the equipment and ensure its reliability.

The above are general precautions, specific test methods and procedures may vary according to different experimental requirements, product nature and test standards. It is recommended to refer to the test chamber’s operation manual and follow the relevant test standards and specifications before conducting specific tests.

1. Automotive industry: used for automotive parts, body painting, plastic products and other durability testing in different climatic environments. Can simulate high temperature, low temperature, sunlight, humidity and other conditions, to assess the performance and stability of the car in a variety of climatic conditions.
2. Electrical and electronic industry: used to test the reliability of electronic products, wires and cables, home appliances, etc. in different climatic environments. It can simulate the conditions of high temperature, low temperature, humidity and dryness to test the durability, anti-corrosion and electrical performance of the products.
3. Aerospace industry: used to test the reliability of aerospace equipment and parts in various extreme climatic conditions. It can simulate extreme environments such as high altitude and low pressure, high temperature and high humidity, low temperature and low humidity, etc., to verify the performance and ability of products to withstand harsh conditions.
4. Building materials industry: used to assess the durability and quality stability of building materials, coatings, glass, etc. in different climatic conditions. It can simulate environmental factors such as sunlight radiation, wind and rain erosion, temperature change, etc. to test the anti-aging performance and service life of materials.
5. Cosmetics and food industry: It is used to test the quality stability and safety of cosmetics and food packaging materials under various climatic conditions. It can simulate sunlight irradiation, high temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions to assess the colour change, physical properties and microbial contamination of the products.

The light fastness tester uses a xenon arc lamp that can simulate the full sunlight spectrum to reproduce the destructive light waves that exist in different environments, and can provide the appropriate environmental simulation and accelerated testing for scientific research, product development and quality control. The Light Fastness Tester can be used for selecting new materials, improving existing materials or evaluating changes in durability after a change in material composition, and can well simulate the changes that occur when materials are exposed to sunlight under different environmental conditions.

Xenon aging testing uses a xenon lamp to simulate the full spectrum of sunlight, including ultraviolet, visible and infrared light. This method provides a more complete simulation of the effects of sunlight on materials and is suitable for materials that are sensitive to the full spectrum. Xenon lamp aging testing has the advantage of providing aging simulations that are closer to actual use conditions, but the equipment is relatively complex and costly.

Carbon arc weathering testing uses carbon arc lamps to simulate the ultraviolet and some visible light from the sun. This method was more common in early aging tests, but due to some differences in spectral distribution from actual sunlight and high equipment maintenance costs, it is now gradually being replaced by xenon lamp aging tests.

The light fastness test determines if dye or pigment colors fade in sunlight or artificial light. Common standards for color fastness to light include ISO 105- B02:2014, AATCC 16-2014, and so on. During the test, expose the samples to light for a certain period, compare the color change with a grey card, and finally assess the color fastness level.

Light Source:

The key difference between UV weathering testing and xenon arc weathering testing is the type of light source used. UV weathering tests use ultraviolet (UV) light, usually in the UVA or UVB wavelength range, to simulate sunlight. Xenon arc lamps, on the other hand, emit a broader spectrum of UV, visible and infrared wavelengths to more fully simulate sunlight.

Wavelength Range:

UV weathering tests usually focus on specific UV wavelengths, such as UVA (320400nm) or UVB (280320nm), depending on the desired test conditions and the material under test. On the other hand, xenon aging tests offer a wider spectrum of UV, visible and infrared wavelengths, which better simulates outdoor exposure to sunlight.

Intensity And Irradiance:

UV weathering tests and xenon lamp weathering tests may differ in terms of light intensity and irradiance levels. UV weathering tests typically supply higher UV intensity levels due to their specific focus on UV wavelengths, while xenon lamp weathering tests may supply a more balanced spectrum with lower UV intensity levels but higher overall irradiance levels.

Testing Standards:

There are different industry standards and guidelines for UV conditioning tests and Xenon conditioning tests, for example, UV conditioning tests can be based on standards such as ASTMG154 or ISO4892, which provide solid guidelines for UV exposure parameters. Xenon conditioning tests can be performed according to standards such as ASTMG155 or ISO11341, which provide guidelines for xenon exposure parameters.

Material Compatibility:

The choice between UV weathering testing and xenon lamp weathering testing may also depend on the type of material being tested. Some materials may be more sensitive to specific wavelengths of UV light, while others may be more sensitive to a wider spectrum. In addition, the effects of light exposure may vary depending on specific material properties, such as colour fastness, fading or degradation mechanisms, which may be better replicated by one type of ageing test than another.

Cost and Equipment:

Another distinction between UV and Xenon ageing tests may be the cost and equipment required. Typically, xenon lamp ageing tests tend to be more expensive compared to UV ageing tests. Xenon arc lamps are often more expensive to purchase and maintain than UV lamps. Xenon adjustment chambers may also require additional equipment for proper ventilation, cooling, and monitoring due to the higher heat output of xenon lamps. UV weathering testing, on the other hand, may require less equipment and maintenance costs, making it more cost-effective for certain applications or budgets.

Test Time:

Test time may also differ between UV weathering testing and xenon lamp weathering testing. UV weathering tests may have shorter test cycles than xenon lamp weathering tests, as they typically focus on specific UV wavelengths and may accelerate the degradation process more quickly. Xenon lamp weathering tests supply a broader spectrum and may require longer test cycles to accurately simulate outdoor weathering conditions.

Application And Industry Suitability:

The suitability of UV weathering testing or xenon weathering testing may also depend on the specific application or industry being targeted. For example, UV weathering testing is often used to evaluate materials and coatings used in outdoor applications such as automotive parts, building materials and outdoor furniture, where exposure to specific UV wavelengths can be a critical factor. Xenon lamp weathering tests have a broader spectrum and may be more suitable for applications that require a more complete simulation of outdoor weathering conditions, such as the automotive, aerospace or textile industries.

Air cooling is a method to dissipate the heat generated inside the xenon lamp aging tester by wind power. The air-cooling system consists of a fan, radiator, shell, etc. The principle is that the heat generated inside the tester is blown into the radiator by the fan, and the heat is dissipated by air flow.

1. Advantages of air-cooled

(1) Simple to install and use: air-cooled cooling system is relatively simple to install, do not need to make too many adjustments and corrections. It is also relatively easy to use, without much maintenance.
(2) Relatively inexpensive: air-cooled systems are relatively inexpensive, more economical than water-cooled systems.
(3) Low maintenance costs: air-cooled system components are relatively simple, maintenance costs are also relatively low.

2. Disadvantages of air-cooled

(1) Relatively low cooling efficiency: compared with water-cooled, air-cooled cooling efficiency is low, and prolonged use can easily lead to equipment failure.
(2) Noise: air-cooled system requires a fan to dissipate heat, so the noise is relatively large, the use of which is not suitable for places with high noise requirements.

1. At any time to keep the appearance of clean.
2. The machine part please do not place items, in order to facilitate the motor and control parts of the heat dissipation.
3. Air-cooled xenon lamp aging test chamber after long-term use, the motor blower device, turntable deceleration device and other parts, if an abnormal noise, should be checked, and pay attention to frequent cleaning and refuelling.
4. Electrical components such as high temperature phenomenon, must immediately check the cause of occurrence.
5. After each use, air-cooled air-cooled xenon lamp aging test chamber should be kept clean to prevent corrosion.
6. The control cabinet cleaned up once a month to prevent excessive dust, affecting the normal operation of the equipment.
7. After the test is completed, the total power supply should be closed, wipe clear the water in the chamber, as far as possible to make the test box in a dry environment.
8. The control panel of the electrical components, such as failures need to be replaced, do not dismantle, to ensure that the air-cooled air-cooled xenon lamp aging test chamber life.