A Carbon Arc Aging Tester is a testing device designed to simulate environmental factors such as sunlight, rain, and dew in natural climates, enabling artificial accelerated weathering tests on materials. The equipment primarily uses a sunshine-type carbon arc lamp as the light source. By controlling parameters such as sample rack temperature, chamber temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall simulation methods, it reproduces the combined effects of light, heat, and moisture found in outdoor environments.
The tester performs artificial aging tests on the photochemical and mechanical properties of materials. Key parameters—including light irradiance, chamber temperature, specimen rack temperature, and relative humidity—are controlled through a closed-loop automatic control system.
Working Principle
The core principle of the Carbon Arc Aging Tester is to use carbon arc lamps to simulate the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared components of sunlight, enabling accelerated weather resistance testing of materials.
The main working mechanisms include:
Light Source Mechanism
A high-intensity electric arc is generated between two carbon rods, producing continuous spectral radiation covering ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) wavelengths, thereby simulating the spectral characteristics of natural sunlight.
Environmental Control
The system precisely controls the internal test chamber conditions, including temperature (typically 60–85°C) and humidity (some models support high humidity up to 90–95% RH). Spray or condensation systems may also be integrated to simulate day–night temperature differences, rain, or dew.
Optical Filter System
Special glass filters (such as Corex 7058 glass filters) are used to adjust the output spectrum, making it closer to real sunlight conditions encountered in practical applications.
Accelerated Aging Process
Under high-intensity light exposure and controlled temperature and humidity conditions, materials undergo accelerated photo-oxidation, thermo-oxidative aging, hydrolysis, and other chemical and physical degradation processes. This allows the tester to reproduce years of outdoor aging behavior within weeks or months.
Standard Operating Procedure
1. Start-Up and Preheating
Connect the external power supply and press the startup switch to initialize the equipment.
Set basic environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and irradiance via the control panel.
Preheat the equipment for 30 minutes to 1 hour to stabilize internal conditions (temperature fluctuation should remain within ±2°C).
2. Sample Placement
Clean the surface of the test samples thoroughly to remove oil, fingerprints, or dust that may affect test results.
Mount the samples securely on the rotating drum or dedicated sample rack, ensuring even spacing to avoid mutual shading.
Standard sample size should be 150 mm × 70 mm, with a maximum capacity of 76 specimens simultaneously.
3. Parameter Configuration
Set operating parameters according to international standards such as ASTM D7356 and ISO 105-B06:
Irradiance: 0.35–0.50 W/m² (specific UV band for carbon arc lamps)
Total test duration and cycle time (e.g., 24-hour cycle, total duration 1000 hours)
Blackboard temperature: 63°C ±3°C or 83°C ±3°C
Spray pressure: 0.08–0.13 MPa
Water flow: 2100 mL/min ±100 mL
Cooling water temperature: 16°C ±5°C
Chamber humidity: 50% RH ±5% RH
4. Test Operation and Monitoring
Ensure the test chamber door is fully sealed and locked before starting the test program.
Monitor indicator lights and control panel data to ensure normal operation.
Periodically inspect samples for color changes, embrittlement, cracking, or other degradation phenomena, and record observations.
5. Test Completion
The equipment stops automatically when the preset testing time is reached.
Turn off the power supply and remove the test samples for further evaluation.
Main Functions and Advantages
Carbon Arc Aging Testers are widely used for evaluating the light resistance of plastics, rubber, coatings, and textiles.
1. Main Functions
Simulation of Natural Sunlight
Using carbon arc lamps combined with Corex 7058 glass filters, the system simulates sunlight spectra, particularly suitable for UV and visible light accelerated aging tests.
Adjustable Environmental Parameters
The system allows control of irradiance, temperature (typically 0–80°C), humidity, and rotating drum speed, supporting multiple standardized testing conditions.
Compatibility with Multiple Materials
Suitable for plastics, rubber, paints, coatings, textiles, and other materials requiring weather resistance evaluation.
Automated Operation
Supports preset testing duration, automatic start/stop functions, real-time monitoring, and data recording.
2. Advantages
High Simulation Accuracy
The spectral distribution of carbon arc light sources is closer to real sunlight, particularly in the short-wave UV region, and in some cases better replicates the material degradation mechanisms caused by sunlight than xenon lamps.
Easy Operation
Equipped with an intuitive control panel that allows parameter presetting and process monitoring, simplifying operation.
3.Importance to Industry
Realistic Simulation of Natural Aging
The SI80 Carbon Arc Aging Tester uses carbon arc lamps to simulate the solar spectrum (including UV, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths). Combined with temperature, humidity, and spray systems, it can reproduce years of natural aging within days or weeks.
This artificial accelerated aging method significantly shortens product development cycles and helps companies quickly optimize material formulations and production processes.
Compliance with Industry Standards
The SI80 complies with multiple international and domestic standards, including:
ISO 4892-1
ISO 4892-4
JIS A1415
JIS B7753
JIS D0205
ASTM G23-1996
Testing with this equipment ensures products meet mandatory or recommended weather resistance requirements for industries such as export manufacturing, automotive, construction, and outdoor products.
Improved Material Reliability
The tester is widely used for new material screening, material improvement, and durability verification after formulation changes. It can identify failure modes such as fading, cracking, embrittlement, and chalking under combined light and humidity conditions, helping prevent product recalls and after-sales complaints.
Carbon Arc Aging Tester Selection Recommendations
1. Prioritize Carbon Arc Lamp Models When
The test material is sensitive to full-spectrum light (including visible light), such as automotive coatings and outdoor plastic products.
Testing must comply with JIS or ISO 4892-1/4 carbon arc lamp standards.
The application requires combined simulation of sunlight, humidity, and rainfall.
2. Five Key Technical Indicators
Spectral matching accuracy
Ensure the carbon arc light source closely matches sunlight within the 290–800 nm wavelength range.
Lamp lifespan
Recommended carbon rods: 13 mm diameter and 305 mm length, capable of approximately 78 hours of continuous operation per rod.
Temperature control accuracy
Blackboard temperature fluctuation should remain within ±2°C, and humidity fluctuation within ±5% RH.
Programmable spray system
Adjustable cycles from 1–240 minutes to meet different material testing requirements.
After-sales service capability
Choose suppliers providing lifetime maintenance, periodic calibration, and original consumables. Carbon rods are consumables and should be replaced regularly; it is recommended to keep 2–3 spare rods available.
3. Important Considerations
The SI80 model uses a sunshine-type carbon arc lamp, which differs from daylight-type carbon arc lamps in spectral output.
Carbon rods are consumable components and require regular replacement; confirm that the supplier provides compatible carbon rods and maintenance services.
The equipment is large and consumes significant power, so laboratories must ensure 380V power supply and sufficient installation space.
Overall, the core value of the Carbon Arc Aging Tester lies in its ability to rapidly simulate UV aging, precisely control key environmental parameters, and accommodate a wide range of materials. It provides reliable scientific data for product formulation optimization, process improvement, and service life evaluation, making it an essential tool for long-term outdoor performance testing in material science.
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