UV tester simulates the effects of sunlight with ultraviolet rays using UV fluorescent lamps and also reproduces dew and rain using moisture condensation and water spray.
The accelerated UV aging test reproduces the damage caused by sunlight, rain and dew. In a few days or weeks of exposure of the samples inside the UV tester, damages occurring in months or years of outdoor exposure can be reproduced.
To simulate aging due to external atmospheric agents, UV tester subjects the materials to alternating cycles of UV radiation and humidity at controlled high temperatures. The instrument simulates the effects of sunlight through the use of special UV fluorescent lamps and the simulation of the effect of dew and rain occurs through condensation or a spray of water (Spray option).
UV radiation is responsible for almost all the processes of photo degradation of durable materials exposed to the external environment. The fluorescent lamps used in the UV tester simulate critical UV short waves and realistically reproduce the damage caused by sunlight. The types of damage that can be simulated with the UV tester are the following: color change, loss of gloss, chalking, cracking, cracks, blistering, veiling, brittleness, loss of strength and oxidation.
Two different type of UV lamp are available
- UVA-340 lamps offer the best simulation of sunlight in the critical wavelength region from 365 nm up to the solar cut-off value of 295 nm
- UVB-313 lamps maximize acceleration through the use of the most aggressive UV short waves compared to those normally arriving on the earth’s surface. As a result, for some materials these lamps can produce too severe and unrealistic results.
Dew is mainly responsible for most of the moisture that occurs during outdoor exposure, much more than rain. The condensation system of the UV tester realistically simulates dew and amplifies its effect through the use of high temperatures.
