UV Accelerated Weathering Tester

UV accelerated weathering tester reproduces the damage caused by natural sunlight, rain, and dew. In a few days or weeks, the QUV tester can reproduce the damage that occurs over months or years outdoors.

To simulate outdoor weathering, the UV accelerated weathering tester exposes materials to alternating cycles of ultraviolet (UV) light and moisture at controlled, elevated temperatures. It simulates the effects of natural sunlight and artificial irradiance using special fluorescent UV lamps in the UVA, UVB, and UVC portions of the spectrum. It simulates dew and rain with condensing humidity and/or water spray.

Application

UV Accelerate Weathering Tester use UVA-340 fluoresvent UV lamp as light sources which can simulate the harm of sunshine, rain and dew. The operating principle of this machine is combined the ultraviolet rays, rain, high-temperature, condensation and darkness as a circulation and repeat the circulation automatically. We can get the weathering test result of specimen by these circulations. The UV Accelerate Weathering Tester can reproduce the months and years harm in several days or weeks. The harm includes color fading, discoloring, chalkiness, cracking, muddy, bubble, embrittlement, intensity, recession, oxidation etc.typical applications are paint coatings, automotive industry, plastic products, wood products, glue, etc.

Standard Test

AATCC TM186: Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture Exposure

ASTM C1257: Standard Test Method for Accelerated Weathering of Solvent-Release-Type Sealants

ASTM C1442: Practice for Conducting Tests on Sealants Using Artificial Weathering Apparatus

ASTM C1501: Standard Test Method for Color Stability of Building Construction Sealants as Determined by Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures

ASTM C1519: Standard Test Method for Evaluating Durability of Building Construction Sealants by Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures

ASTM C732: Standard Test Method for Aging Effects of Artificial Weathering on Latex Sealants

ISO 29664: Plastics - Artificial weathering including acidic deposition

ISO 11997-2: Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to cyclic corrosion conditions - Part 2: Wet (salt fog)/dry/humidity/UV light

ISO 16474-3: Paints and varnishes - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps

ISO 4892-3: Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 3: Fluorescent UV-lamps

DIN EN 12224: Geotextiles and geotextile-related products - Determination of the resistance to weathering

DIN EN 1297: Flexible sheets for waterproofing - Bitumen, plastic, and rubber sheets for roofing - Method of artificial ageing by long term exposure to the combination of UV-radiation, elevated temperature and water

DIN EN 13523-10: Coil coated metals - Test methods - Part 10: Resistance to fluorescent UV light and water condensation

DIN EN ISO 4892-1: Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 1: General guidance

EN 927-6: Paints and varnishes - Coating materials and coating systems for exterior wood - Part 6: Exposure of wood coatings to artificial weathering using fluorescent UV and water

prEN 1062-4: Paints and varnishes - Coating materials and coating systems for exterior masonry - Part 4: Preconditioning of exterior coatings to UV radiation and water in apparatus

SAE J2020: Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Fluorescent UV and Condensation Apparatus

Feature

1. The case is made from numerical control equipment,which is with advanced technology, smooth lines, beautifully designed.

2. Accelerated weathering tester: material of the cabinet is thickness 1.2mm,SUS304# advanced stainless steel.

3. Air channel in the cabinet applies single-cycle system and a import axial flow fan improves the air flow ability of light, heating ability, and also significantly improves the temperature uniformity in the test chamber.

4. Lamp: the dedicated ultraviolet, UVA-340 or UVB-313(option), 8 lamps, 4 on each side with a total of 2 sides，40W/1.

5. Accelerated weathering chamber: lamp lifetime: above1600h.

6. Water source and consumption: about 8 L tap water or distilled water every day.

7. Type of heating: water channel heating with quick warming and uniformity temperature distribution.

8. The specimen holder is made of stainless steel and aluminium alloy.

9. Bottom of unit is fixed by high quality PU running wheel.

10. Drainage system drains water with U type deposition device.

11. The test sample surface is in parallel with UV light plane.

12. Installation of automatic sprinkler inside the spray system, water pressure can be adjusted.

13. The uv testing machine power uses the residual current circuit-breaker for control loop, overload and short circuit alarm, over temperature alarm, water shortage protection.

parameters

Accessoriess

Standard accessories: 1Set Specimen Fixture & 1Set UVA-340 8 pcs

Optional accessories: Optional UVB-313 8 pcs & Optional Irradiance Meter

Test Procedures

1. Sample Preparation

Cut EUT samples according to standards (e.g., plastic sheets 70*150mm). Test initial color difference using Qinsun Portable Spectrophotometer (High Accuracy Reflectance), initial gloss using Qinsun Gloss Meter, and initial tensile strength using Qinsun Double Columns Tensile Testing Machine. Record data for comparison. Properly package the prepared samples to prevent contamination or damage during handling, then proceed to inspect and prepare the test equipment.

2. Test Equipment Inspection and Preparation

• Verify the appearance of the UV-263LS UV aging test chamber. Ensure the condensation and water spray systems function normally, the water tank has sufficient water volume, and the water quality meets standards (e.g., conductivity <5μs/cm).

• Calibrate the irradiance calibration device.

3. Test Condition Settings

• Light Source: Select UVA-340 (simulates natural UV) or UVB-313 (high-energy short-wave UV) according to requirements.

• Irradiance: Set to approximately 0.55W/㎡/nm, adjusted precisely via the equipment.

• Temperature: The temperature can be selected from 50 to 70°C (60°C is preferred) during the illumination phase and 50°C during the condensation phase, with a tolerance of ±2°C.

• Humidity: Set as needed (e.g., 95% RH).

• Cycle Period: Choose 4H light + 4H condensation or 8H light + 4H condensation mode.

4. Sample Placement

Fix samples on the test rack facing the UV lamps. Seal unoccupied areas with blackboards to ensure uniform in-chamber conditions.

5. Test Operation

Close the chamber door and start the equipment. Regularly monitor the equipment status (temperature, humidity, function operation, etc.) during operation. Inspect and photograph the samples every 250 hours.

6. Intermediate and Final Testing

After the set cycles or time, remove the samples. Test color difference with Qinsun Portable Spectrophotometer (High Accuracy Reflectance), gloss with Qinsun Gloss Meter, and tensile strength with Qinsun Double Columns Tensile Testing Machine to track aging changes.

7. Result Evaluation

• Appearance Assessment: Use Qinsun equipment to detect changes in gloss and color, and observe phenomena such as powdering and cracking.

• Other Performance Assessment: Conduct tensile, impact, and other property tests on rubber, plastic, etc., and evaluate aging degree by comparing with initial data.