Xenon arc weathering testers, also known as xenon arc test chambers, use a long-arc xenon lamp (covering the full solar spectrum) as a light source to simulate and enhance product weathering and accelerated aging. These test instruments rapidly obtain test results that closely resemble those of a macroclimate. They are used to evaluate the weatherability of colored products such as plastics, rubber, paints, inks, paper, coatings, pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics, automotive accessories, and textile printing and dyeing. Benchtop xenon arc weathering test chambers are used to test the long-term response of materials to light, heat, and humidity in their final use environment. The CPS series remains the world's most widely used benchtop xenon arc weathering chamber. These easy-to-use xenon arc weathering chambers are ideal for screening new materials for diverse applications, such as quality control of materials and components, and routine testing during production. The CPS series monitors and controls test parameters to ensure repeatable and reproducible test results. Its filtered xenon lamp accurately and stably simulates sunlight radiation, and its performance is unaffected by the lamp's lifespan. The CPS series is suitable for applications in packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, printing inks, industrial fabrics, agricultural chemicals, building sealants, and dental materials.
The xenon lamp weathering test chamber controls three environmental factors: sunlight, rain, ambient humidity, condensation, and 130°C, each of which can be adjusted independently. Xenon lamps, as the light source, are used to simulate natural light, as they are often found in spectrometers. Temperature and humidity can be adjusted over a wide range, and a separate breathing system for rainwater is used. If necessary, hazardous substances and chemicals can be added to the rainwater supply. By adjusting the water cooling temperature of the sample rack, the amount of condensation on the specimen surface and the ambient temperature of the specimen can be adjusted. Therefore, the xenon lamp weathering test chamber can be used for multi-element weathering tests.
principle
The core principle of the xenon lamp aging test chamber is to use a xenon arc lamp to simulate the spectral distribution of sunlight, and combine it with a temperature and humidity control system to accelerate the aging process of the material. Its workflow mainly includes the following key links:
(1) Spectral simulation
The xenon lamp can emit a continuous spectrum similar to sunlight (including ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light). The spectral distribution is adjusted through filters to make it closer to natural sunlight (such as UVB, UVA or full spectrum). Different filter combinations can simulate different climatic conditions (such as desert, temperate or tropical environments).
(2) Irradiance control
The xenon lamp aging test chamber monitors the irradiation intensity in real time through a light sensor and automatically adjusts the xenon lamp power or filter system to ensure stable irradiance during the test (such as 0.35 W/m² @ 340nm or 1.2 W/m² @ 420nm). (3) Temperature and humidity control
The test chamber is equipped with a heating, cooling, and humidification system to precisely control the temperature and humidity inside the chamber (e.g., temperature range 20-80°C, humidity 10%-95%RH), simulating the effects of different climate environments on materials.
(4) Spray simulation (optional)
Some test chambers are equipped with a spray system to simulate rain or condensation to study the weather resistance of materials in alternating dry and wet environments.
Procedure
1. First, fill the xenon lamp test chamber's water tank with deionized or purified water.
2. Check whether the chamber is air-cooled or water-cooled. If it is water-cooled, first check the chiller for water flow and whether there is water at the water source. This prevents the lamp from overheating and burning out due to a lack of water when the lamp is turned on.
3. Place the sample in the chamber. If the chamber uses a rotating frame, clamp the sample to the rotating frame after taking it. If it uses a flat-bed chamber, place the sample in the rack and adjust the rack's height to maintain a standard distance from the lamp.
4. Turn on the power and tap the touchscreen to set your desired temperature, humidity, rain exposure, light intensity, and number of cycles.
5. Close the chamber door. If you need to observe the chamber, tap the window light and look through the window. The window is covered with a filter to filter out strong light. Under normal circumstances, avoid looking directly at the light source.
6. After the test, clean and dry the test chamber. If no tests will be conducted within a week, drain the water tank and open the door for ventilation. Wait until the chamber is dry before closing the door.
Precautions
The aging test chamber must be effectively grounded for safety.
It is strictly forbidden to use this chamber to dry explosive, flammable, or volatile items.
The aging test chamber should be placed in a dry, level area indoors. The left side of the chamber should be 1 meter away from walls and other objects to ensure air flow through the lower left inlet regulator.
4. This aging test chamber is equipped with an over-temperature alarm. When the chamber temperature exceeds the set temperature, it automatically cuts off the heating power to prevent further malfunctions.
5. This unit must be supervised by a designated person and the power should be turned off promptly after the test.
Maintenance
When maintaining and using the xenon lamp aging tester, the following precautions must be strictly followed to ensure stable operation of the equipment and personal safety: First, be sure to avoid rotating and other moving parts when operating the equipment to prevent personal injury; second, do not look directly at or observe the xenon lamp without proper isolation measures to avoid irreversible damage to the eyes; third, try to avoid frequent ignition of the xenon lamp during operation to extend its service life. If the xenon lamp needs to be ignited again after it goes out, there must be an interval of at least 10 minutes; at the same time, the water used in the test process must be clean distilled water to prevent contamination of instrument components and samples; in addition, it is necessary to regularly check whether the water system is unobstructed. Once the nozzle is found to be blocked, it should be immediately cleared and cleaned with a wire; in addition, due to the use of xenon lamps, After a period of time, its luminous efficiency will gradually decrease, so the lamp should be replaced in time to ensure test accuracy; after the test, not only should the power circuit breaker be turned off, but the xenon lamp cooling water should also be cut off to save energy; if electrical accessories fail and need to be repaired or replaced, products of the same model as the original accessories must be used to ensure compatibility; more importantly, the equipment should be operated and maintained by a dedicated person to avoid safety problems caused by improper operation; for equipment that has been tested for a long time, the water tank should be cleaned in time to prevent scale accumulation; finally, when starting the specimen turntable speed regulator, be sure to follow the operating sequence of turning on the power switch first and then adjusting the speed knob. When stopping, the speed knob must be adjusted to zero before turning off the power switch to ensure the safe shutdown of the equipment.
Xenon arc weathering testers (xenon arc test chambers) are key equipment for simulating and enhancing product weatherability and accelerating aging. Their ability to accurately simulate natural light radiation and flexibly adjust environmental parameters provides a reliable basis for evaluating the weathering performance of various materials under different climatic conditions. From meticulously standardized operating procedures to rigorous maintenance, every step is crucial to the accuracy of test results and the lifespan of the equipment. Only by adhering to scientific procedures and paying attention to routine maintenance can the xenon arc weathering tester maintain its stable operation, providing strong support for material research and development, quality control, and product improvement, thereby driving related industries to continuously advance in addressing the challenges of the natural environment.
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