Accelerated Weathering & UV Testing Equipment
Outdoor exposure inevitably degrades polymers, coatings, textiles, and automotive composites. Waiting years for natural degradation is not an option for modern R&D and quality control. Rycobel provides state-of-the-art accelerated weathering instrumentation that compresses years of natural solar radiation, thermal shock, and moisture exposure into verifiable testing windows lasting only weeks or days.
Partnering with industry leaders like Atlas, we supply both Full-Spectrum Xenon Arc and Fluorescent UV test chambers. These systems reproduce the exact destructive wavelengths of daylight alongside integrated water spray cycles to simulate rain and overnight dew.
Xenon Arc Weathering Test Chambers
Xenon arc technology is the ultimate standard for evaluating color fading, gloss retention, yellowing, and overall aesthetic changes. Unlike UV lamps, Xenon lamps accurately reproduce the complete spectrum of natural daylight, including ultraviolet (UV), visible light, and infrared (IR) radiation.
- Horizontal Bed Testing (Atlas SUNTEST Family): Featuring a flat, horizontal exposure plane (e.g., SUNTEST XLS+ and XXL+), these chambers are the industry standard for testing 3D components, cosmetics, or irregularly shaped specimens.
- Rotating Rack Testing (Atlas Xenotest & Weather-Ometer): Engineered for high-capacity, uniform exposure of standard 2D test panels, utilizing air-cooled or water-cooled rotating racks (e.g., Xenotest 220/440, Ci-series).
UV Lamp Weathering Test Chambers
For assessing physical degradation—such as cracking, peeling, embrittlement, or loss of tensile strength—fluorescent UV testing is highly effective. Atlas UVTest instruments are economical, highly repeatable chambers that isolate the critical short-wave UV spectrum (UV-A and UV-B wavelengths).
Because moisture often causes more physical damage outdoors than sunlight alone, these chambers feature advanced integrated condensation systems. This allows you to accurately simulate the damaging effects of harsh, prolonged overnight dew cycles on your materials.
Natural weathering exposure services(Atlas Network)
For ultimate real-world correlation, laboratory testing should be validated against actual outdoor exposure. Through our partnership with the Atlas Weathering Services Group, Rycobel offers access to the world’s largest network of outdoor weathering test facilities. Conduct benchmark testing in harsh environments like sub-tropical Florida or the arid Arizona desert.
Should I use Xenon Arc or Fluorescent UV Testing?
| Feature | Xenon Arc Chambers | Fluorescent UV Chambers |
| Light Spectrum | Full daylight spectrum (UV, Visible, IR) | Short-wave UV only (UV-A, UV-B) |
| Best For Testing | Colorfastness, fading, gloss retention, yellowing | Physical degradation (cracking, peeling, embrittlement) |
| Moisture Simulation | Direct water spray (rain simulation) | Heated condensation (overnight dew simulation) |
| Ideal Materials | Textiles, cosmetics, interior automotive trims | Exterior polymers, exterior coatings, roofing materials |
Need Help Configuring Your Weathering Test?
Not sure which ISO, ASTM, or DIN standard applies to your product? Contact Rycobel’s technical team for expert guidance on selecting the right Xenon or UV chamber for your specific material and testing requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weathering Testing
Q: What is the difference between UV-A and UV-B testing? A: UV-A lamps (typically 340 nm) are best for simulating standard outdoor sunlight and testing the degradation of outdoor materials over long periods. UV-B lamps (typically 313 nm) emit harsher, shorter wavelengths than natural sunlight and are used for rapid, accelerated quality control or testing highly durable materials.
Q: How long does an accelerated weathering test take? A: There is no universal conversion rate between chamber hours and outdoor years, as degradation depends heavily on the specific material and geographic location. However, a standard accelerated weathering test usually runs between 500 to 2,000 hours (3 to 12 weeks) to simulate several years of outdoor exposure.
Q: Why is horizontal bed testing better for 3D parts? A: Rotating rack chambers are designed for flat 2D panels. A horizontal bed chamber (like the Atlas SUNTEST) provides a flat surface beneath the light source, preventing shadows and ensuring uniform radiation exposure across complex, 3D, or bulky components.