Xenon lamp aging test chamber: material 'time machine' that simulates sunlight

1、 Basic principles and functions

Xenon lamp aging test chamber is a professional testing equipment that accelerates the material aging process by simulating the full spectrum radiation of the sun and environmental conditions.

Core working principle:

Using xenon arc lamps to emit high-intensity light radiation close to the solar spectrum

Combined with precise temperature and humidity control system

Simulate the effect of rainwater/dew through a sprinkler system

Accelerating the aging effect of materials exposed to natural environments may take months to years to manifest

2、 Main structure and key components

componentFunctional Description

Xenon lamp: core light source, power ranging from 1.8kW (air-cooled) to 6.5kW (water-cooled), with a lifespan of approximately 1000-2000 hours

Filter system: Adjust the spectral output to make it closer to natural light and protect the sample from unnecessary radiation

Sample rack: rotatable/fixed design to ensure uniform light exposure of samples, and can hold multiple samples at a time

Temperature and humidity control system: precise control of the indoor environment, including heating/cooling/humidification/dehumidification modules

Intelligent control system: touch screen operation, programmable testing cycle, real-time monitoring and recording of data

3、 Complete solution of technical parameters

Irradiance: usually 0.35~1.50 W/m ², can be precisely adjusted and closed-loop controlled

Blackboard temperature: measures the highest surface temperature of the sample, usually 50-110 ℃, which is 5-20 ℃ higher than the box temperature

Humidity range: 30%~98% RH, can be set arbitrarily

Spray cycle: 0~9999min, continuously adjustable, simulating rainwater erosion

Exposure area: ranging from a few hundred to 5500cm ², depending on equipment specifications

4、 Application Fields

Widely used in industries that require assessment of weather resistance:

Automotive industry: testing the light fading resistance and aging resistance of body coatings, interior trim parts and lamp housings

Building materials: Evaluate the performance changes of exterior wall coatings, door and window profiles, and waterproof materials under long-term sunlight exposure

Plastic and rubber: testing for aging phenomena such as yellowing, cracking, and strength degradation of products

Electronic appliances: Verify the weather stability of enclosures, cables, and insulation materials

Aerospace: Testing the durability of composite materials and coatings in harsh environments

Textiles: Evaluating the color fastness and strength retention of outdoor sunshades, tents, and clothing fabrics

5、 Operation process and precautions

Standard operating procedures:

Preparation work: Check the equipment status to ensure that the power and water connections are normal, and that the xenon lamp and filter are not damaged

Parameter settings: Set irradiance, temperature, humidity, spray cycle, etc. according to testing standards

Sample placement: Fix the samples evenly on the sample rack to ensure that they do not obstruct each other's light

Start test: Close the box door, start the equipment, and start the aging cycle

Process monitoring: Regularly check whether the actual parameters are consistent with the set values and record the data

End of experiment: Turn off the xenon lamp and wait for the box to cool to a safe temperature (<40 ℃) before taking out the sample

Equipment maintenance: Clean the box and sample rack, check the status of the filter

重要安全提示：

Wear protective goggles and gloves during operation to prevent strong light and high temperature injuries

It is strictly prohibited to open the box door during the experiment to avoid interfering with the test or causing personal injury

Regularly calibrate temperature, humidity, and irradiation sensors (recommended every 3-6 months) to ensure testing accuracy

Xenon lamps must be replaced promptly when their lifespan expires to avoid affecting testing accuracy

6、 Testing standards and result evaluation

Main reference standards:

Standards: GB/T 16422.2, GB/T 1865, ISO 4892-2

7、 Purchase Guide

Key considerations:

Light source quality: Priority is given to imported xenon lamps, which have good spectral stability and long lifespan

Temperature control accuracy: The temperature uniformity should be ≤± 2.0 ℃ to ensure consistency of test results

Control system: intelligent programmable, supports multi-stage loops, has data storage and USB export functions

Safety protection: equipped with multiple safety mechanisms such as xenon lamp overheating protection, water level alarm, and leakage protection

After sales service: Choose a brand with a professional technical team and comprehensive after-sales service to ensure the long-term stable operation of the equipment

8、 Common faults and maintenance

Key points for regular maintenance:

Weekly inspection: Xenon lamp status, water level in the tank, and cleanliness of the ventilation openings

Every 500 hours: Clean or replace the filter to ensure light transmittance

Every 1000 hours: Consider replacing the xenon lamp (depending on frequency of use)

Every 3-6 months: Fully calibrate sensors and check cooling system efficiency

9、 Summary

The xenon lamp aging test chamber, as an important tool for material research and quality control, accelerates the exposure of potential weather resistance defects in products by accurately simulating the conditions of light, heat, and humidity in natural environments, providing scientific basis for product design improvement. Choosing appropriate equipment and strictly following operating procedures can significantly improve the reliability and service life of products in outdoor environments.