Atlas Ci xenon lamp aging test chamber

For over a century, Atlas Instruments has revolutionized the science of weathering testing. The all-new Atlas Ci4400 Weather-Ometer® is the most advanced instrument yet, offering ease of operation, unmatched uniformity, increased capacity, and a sleeker design, delivering unmatched value and performance. Its user-friendly touchscreen interface and ergonomic design take this best-in-class instrument even further.

Design and engineering innovations in airflow, irradiance, and control systems significantly reduce variability in critical test parameters. As a result, the Ci4400 achieves new levels of uniformity in temperature, humidity, and illumination.

Xenon arc weathering tests simulate the full sunlight spectrum and are the best available artificial climate reliability tests. They can simulate natural-like weathering in a short period of time. Xenon arc weathering tests can be used to select new materials, improve existing materials, or evaluate durability changes after composition changes. They provide simulated test environments and accelerated testing for research, product development, and quality control. They can better simulate the changes that occur when a product is exposed to sunlight in different environments.

Operation Procedure

To operate a xenon lamp weathering test chamber, follow these steps: First, fill the chamber's water tank with deionized or purified water. Next, check the chamber type. If it's water-cooled, verify that the chiller is flowing properly and that there's water at the water source to prevent the lamp from overheating and burning out due to a lack of water after turning it on. Next, place the sample in the chamber. If the chamber uses a rotating frame, clamp the sample to the rotating frame after sampling. If it's a flat-bed chamber, place the sample in the rack and adjust the rack. Height, so that it maintains a standard distance from the lamp; then, turn on the power, click the touch screen, and set the required parameters such as temperature, humidity, rain, light, and number of cycles; after the settings are completed, close the test chamber door. If you need to observe the situation inside the chamber, you can click the window light and look through the window covered with a filter membrane. It should be noted that under normal circumstances, do not look directly at the light source with your eyes; after the test is completed, clean the test chamber and wipe it dry. If no test is carried out within a week, it is best to drain the water in the water tank, open the door for ventilation, and close the door after the chamber is dry.

Advantages

The ATLAS CI series of imported xenon arc weathering testers excel in material weathering testing and are commonly used for weathering tests on automotive coatings, fabrics and plastics, packaging materials, paints, coatings, pigments, optoelectronics, plastics, fabrics, and other materials. The series includes three models: the CI3000+, CI4000. and CI5000. offering several significant advantages:

Compliance with International Standards and Testing Requirements

The Ci series complies with numerous international weathering standards and colorfastness testing requirements, enabling comprehensive material durability testing tailored to user needs. Its rotating specimen holder design maximizes exposure consistency. It features narrowband (340 nm or 420 nm) or broadband (300-400 nm) control for monitoring a second wavelength, meeting international standards. Controllable irradiance can double the amount of sunlight, meeting the demands of high-speed accelerated testing. Irradiance settings and other test conditions can be gradually varied to achieve user-defined test sequences or cycles. A black panel or black mark thermometer monitors specimen temperature to ensure test repeatability. Automatic control of the test chamber and black panel temperatures accurately simulates the material's end-use environment. VibraSonic™ humidity control precisely simulates user-defined humidity levels, meeting the most stringent global testing requirements. Smart Damper™ closely monitors chamber temperature and humidity, adjusting test conditions as necessary to ensure test accuracy and repeatability. SmartLight Monitor™ ensures interference filters are correctly installed before testing, avoiding costly test failures. A water purity meter provides a warning signal when water quality falls below a set value.

Reliably simulates full-spectrum sunlight

The Ci Series utilizes an advanced, water-cooled xenon lamp, providing consistent radiant exposure over time. Easily replaceable glass filters ensure the lamp's spectrum closely matches the sunlight spectrum in the end-use environment, providing more realistic lighting conditions for material testing.

Unparalleled repeatability and reproducibility

Innovations in airflow, irradiance, and control systems effectively minimize test parameter variations, setting new standards for consistent temperature, humidity, and light exposure, ensuring highly consistent results from test to test.

Easy Operation

The touchscreen interface allows easy access to both pre-set and dedicated test programs. The microprocessor provides simple test setup and enhanced diagnostic and auto-calibration features for convenient and efficient operation.

Fast, easy operation, continuous operation

A fully accessible control system and test chamber, user-specific components, a diagnostic screen, an auto-xenon lamp calibration system, and improved components reduce maintenance time and cost, while improving product reliability. The testers also feature a total exposure area of ​​7.300 cm² (1.130 in²); a sample holder with three tilting, removable sections; a 15-inch, full-color touchscreen user interface that displays all test parameters; 12 custom programs with sub-cycle support; multi-language support (Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish); data streaming via Ethernet or USB, with an included USB flash drive; a variety of filter combinations to accommodate common test methods; an air inlet filter; a CS-9 xenon lamp cooling system; a foldable tray for sample holders, logbooks, consumables, or a laptop; a latched door for easy access for routine maintenance; a calibrated xenon reference lamp or Xenocal for Ci calibrators; a door inspection window; a universal electrical configuration to meet local frequency, voltage, and electrical requirements; and designs compliant with CE, UL, ISO, EN, and CSA. Safety requirements; with automatic test countdown function based on time or radiation exposure.

Xenon Lamp Maintenance

Regularly check the xenon lamp: The xenon lamp is the core component of the test chamber. Observe it for darkening, flickering, or decreased brightness. If it exceeds its service life (usually 500-1500 hours), replace it promptly.

Avoid frequent on-off cycles: Xenon lamps draw a large current when starting up. Frequent on-off cycles shorten their lifespan. It is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes between cycles before restarting.

Cleaning the lamp surface: Wipe the surface of the xenon lamp with a soft cloth to avoid dust or oil that may affect light intensity uniformity.

Filter System Maintenance

Regularly replace filters: Filters (such as quartz glass and infrared filters) will age or become contaminated with long-term use. It is recommended to inspect and replace them every 6-12 months if necessary.

Cleaning the filter assembly: Clean the filter and optical window with a dust-free cloth to avoid dust or water stains that may affect the spectral distribution.

Temperature and Humidity Control System Maintenance

Check the humidifier tank: Regularly replace the deionized water to prevent scale from clogging the pipes, and remove impurities from the tank.

Calibrate the temperature and humidity sensors: Perform calibration every 3-6 months to ensure data accuracy.

Clean the condenser and fan: Dust accumulation can affect heat dissipation. Cleaning with compressed air or a soft brush is recommended quarterly.

Cleaning the sample rack and test chamber

Cleaning the test chamber: After the test, remove any remaining sample debris or chemical residue to prevent corrosion.

Check the sample rack fixture: Ensure the sample is securely clamped to prevent vibration-induced measurement deviations.

Electrical System Inspection

Check the power supply and grounding: Ensure stable voltage to prevent voltage fluctuations from damaging electronic components.

Regularly tighten the terminal blocks: Prevent vibration-induced poor connections.