Solar simulation and accelerated weathering test chamber
Because there is a need for more rapid evaluations of the resistance of materials to weathering than can be obtained by outdoor exposure tests, devices with artificial light sources are generally used to accelerate the degradation. These sources include filtered long arc xenon, fluorescent, metal halide lamps and carbon arc. Less commonly used light sources include mercury vapor and tungsten lamps. These laboratory accelerated weathering tests are sometimes and perhaps more appropriately, referred to as artificial weathering. Each light source has its own inherent benefits of which a weathering experimenter must be aware.
Typical applications can be found in a variety of industries: textiles, automotive, paints and coatings, plastics and polymers, paper, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
