Accelerated Weathering Chamber
Advanced Environmental Simulation for Material Performance
An Accelerated Weathering Chamber is key in the plastic and polymer industry for testing how materials hold up against tough conditions like UV light, rain, and temperature changes. It helps check the durability of products, making sure they can last a long time and stay strong even when exposed to the elements. This chamber speeds up the aging process, allowing manufacturers to quickly find out if their products can withstand outdoor use. It’s an essential tool for ensuring that everything from car parts to outdoor furniture is reliable and tough.
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Testing Standards
Which Standard Might Your Customer Specify?
Standards give the laboratory a common way to run and report a test. The right one depends on the material, where it is used in the vehicle and the customer’s requirement. Here are the main references you may come across.
Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources for plastics. Covers xenon arc lamps with daylight and window-glass filter conditions for interior and exterior plastic applications. Primary reference for the SX/6500/H.
Standard practice for operating xenon arc light apparatus for exposure of materials. Covers equipment setup, irradiance control, filter selection and cycle operation - foundational method for xenon weathering tests.
General principles for exposure and test methods for plastics to laboratory light sources. Covers specimen preparation, mounting, exposure conditions and evaluation of colour change, gloss and mechanical properties.
Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources. Part 3 covers fluorescent UV lamps for plastics - specifies UVA 340 nm or UVB 313 nm lamp type, irradiance setting, moisture condensation cycle and specimen evaluation criteria.
Standard practice for operating fluorescent UV lamp apparatus for exposure of nonmetallic materials. Covers cycle design, irradiance control and specimen mounting - primary equipment standard for UV weathering of plastics.
Standard practice for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics. Specifies lamp type, irradiance, condensation cycle and exposure duration for evaluating colour change, gloss retention and mechanical property degradation.
General principles for exposure and test methods for plastics to laboratory light sources. Provides guidance on specimen preparation, mounting, exposure conditions and evaluation of results applicable to all UV-exposed plastic materials.
Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources. Part 3 covers fluorescent UV lamps for plastics - specifies UVA 340 nm or UVB 313 nm lamp type, irradiance, moisture condensation cycle and specimen evaluation applicable to benchtop UV chambers.
Standard practice for operating fluorescent UV lamp apparatus for exposure of nonmetallic materials. Applicable to both full-size and benchtop UV chambers - covers irradiance control, cycle design and specimen mounting.
Standard practice for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics. Specifies lamp type, irradiance, condensation cycle and exposure duration for evaluating colour change, gloss retention and mechanical property degradation in compact benchtop setups.
Accelerated Weathering Chamber Solutions
Compare Xenon Weathering Chambers Specification
UV chambers · ST full-size UVA / UVB · SB benchtop UVA / UVB
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☀️ Xenon Arc Chambers |
🔆 Fluorescent UV Chambers |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | SX/6500/HFull-size | ST/UV/AFull-size · UVA / UVB | SB/UV/ABenchtop |
| Light source | 1 × 6.5 kW water-cooled xenon lamp | 8 × 40 W fluorescent UV lamps | 3 × 20 W fluorescent UV lamps |
| Lamp options | Filter-based - daylight, window-glass or other | UVA 340 nm or UVB 313 nm | UVA 340 nm or UVB 313 nm |
| Exposure area | 6,500 cm² | - | - |
| Sample capacity | 63–65 samples (150 × 70 mm) | 24 racks; 48 samples (150 × 70 mm) | 18 samples (150 × 70 mm) |
| Sample arrangement | Rotating three-layer sample rack | Flat sample racks | Flat sample racks |
| Rated power | 6.5 kW | 2 kW (max.) | 1.2 kW |
| Power supply | Confirm with Flexitest | 220 V, 50 Hz; 60 Hz optional; max. 10 A | 220 V, 50 Hz, 6 A |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | Confirm with Flexitest | 1,360 × 560 × 1,290 mm | 940 × 490 × 630 mm |
| Model details | View SX/6500/H → | View ST UVA / UVB → | View SB/UV/A → |
☀️ Xenon Arc
* Confirm the filter, irradiance measurement band, moisture cycle and utilities for your test method before ordering. Capacity is based on flat sample size; confirm holders for shaped components.
Not sure which weathering chamber fits your application?
Share your material type, test standard (Xenon / UV), sample size and cycle requirements. Our team will confirm the suitable model and accessories for your application.
FAQ's
What is an accelerated weathering chamber, and why do plastics and polymers need one?
It exposes samples to intense light, controlled temperature and moisture to reproduce months or years of outdoor ageing in a much shorter time. Plastic manufacturers use it to see how a material will fade, yellow, chalk, crack or lose strength before the product reaches the market.
What is the difference between xenon arc and fluorescent UV weathering chambers?
A xenon arc chamber (SX/6500/H) uses a 6.5 kW water-cooled xenon lamp with filters. It reproduces the full solar spectrum, including visible light and infrared. Fluorescent UV chambers (ST/UV/A and SB/UV/A) use UV lamps that focus on the ultraviolet part of sunlight, which is the main cause of polymer degradation. Xenon gives broader realism, while UV is a faster and more economical way to test UV resistance.
Which chamber should I choose for my plastic or polymer samples?
- SX/6500/H is for the closest match to real sunlight, such as automotive interiors and colour-critical materials. It is also suited to behind-glass exposure.
- ST/UV/A is the full-size UV option for high-volume or routine UV resistance testing.
- SB/UV/A is a benchtop UV unit for R&D labs and smaller batches.
What lamp and filter options are available?
The SX/6500/H uses filters to simulate daylight, window-glass exposure or other conditions. The ST/UV/A and SB/UV/A are available with UVA 340 nm lamps, which closely match sunlight in the short-wave UV range. They are also available with UVB 313 nm lamps, for a harsher and faster exposure.
How many samples can each chamber hold?
- SX/6500/H: 63–65 samples (150 × 70 mm) on a rotating three-layer rack, with a 6,500 cm² exposure area.
- ST/UV/A: 48 samples (150 × 70 mm) on 24 racks.
- SB/UV/A: 18 samples (150 × 70 mm).
Which testing standards do weathering chambers help with?
Rotation moves every specimen through the same light intensity over time. Without it, samples nearer the lamp would age faster than others. This keeps the exposure uniform across all samples, so the results are consistent and comparable.
How does the pneumatic station lift work?
Xenon arc testing is commonly associated with standards such as ISO 4892-2 and ASTM G155. Fluorescent UV testing is commonly associated with ISO 4892-3 and ASTM G154. Please check the exact test methods and lamp configuration for the chamber you plan to buy, or ask Flexitest to confirm the standards each model supports.
What are the power and space requirements?
- ST/UV/A: 2 kW (max.), 220 V, 50 Hz (60 Hz optional), max. 10 A. Dimensions are 1,360 × 560 × 1,290 mm.
- SB/UV/A: 1.2 kW, 220 V, 50 Hz, 6 A. Dimensions are 940 × 490 × 630 mm.
- SX/6500/H: 6.5 kW. Confirm the power supply and dimensions with Flexitest before installation planning, since a water-cooled xenon system needs more infrastructure.
Which plastic and polymer products are commonly tested?
Typical examples are automotive exterior and interior parts, pipes and fittings, films and packaging, construction profiles, cables and electrical housings, coatings on plastics, and masterbatches and pigments. Manufacturers test these for colour fade, gloss loss, surface cracking, chalking, and changes in mechanical properties.
Does Flexitest provide installation, training and support?
Yes. Flexitest supports weathering chamber buyers with installation, operator training, AMC and 24/7 service. To choose the right chamber for your material, test standard and sample volume, use “Get a Quote” on the page or contact the Flexitest team.
