Ultraviolet irradiation experimental equipment

UV irradiation testing equipment accelerates the aging of materials by simulating ultraviolet radiation in natural environments, combined with climatic conditions such as temperature and humidity. It is widely used for weather resistance evaluation in industries such as coatings, plastics, rubber, and inks. The following analysis is conducted from five dimensions: equipment principles, core parameters, functional features, application scenarios, and purchasing recommendations:

1. Equipment Principle: An "Accelerated Laboratory" Simulating Natural Degradation

UV irradiation testing equipment uses fluorescent UV lamps (such as UVA-340 and UVB-313) to simulate ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, combined with condensation devices or spray systems to mimic the effects of moisture like dew and rain. Within days or weeks, it can replicate aging effects that would take months or even years outdoors, including fading, discoloration, chalking, cracking, and loss of strength. The core logic is that ultraviolet light (accounting for 5% of sunlight) is the primary factor causing material aging. By intensifying UV radiation, the equipment efficiently predicts material lifespan.

2. Core Parameters: Key Indicators Determining Test Accuracy

Temperature Range: Typically from RT (room temperature) +10°C to 80°C, with some devices supporting higher temperatures (e.g., 100°C) to simulate extreme environments.

Humidity Control: Humidity range can reach 85% RH to 98% RH, achieved through condensation or spray cycles.

Irradiance: UVA band (320-400nm) irradiance is typically 0.68 W/m², while UVB band (280-315nm) is 0.6 W/m². Some devices support automatic irradiance calibration (e.g., CR-10 calibrator for QUV testers).

Lamp Types:

UVA-340: Simulates short-wave ultraviolet light in sunlight, suitable for outdoor material testing.

UVB-313: Generates higher-energy ultraviolet light, accelerating the aging process, ideal for rapid screening tests.

UVC: Short-wave ultraviolet light, primarily used for sterilization testing, but may cause excessive material degradation and should be used with caution.

Sample Capacity: Standard sample sizes are 75mm × 150mm or 75mm × 300mm, with devices accommodating 24 to 48 samples.

3. Functional Features: Differentiated Designs from Basic to Advanced

Climate Cycle Control:

Light-Condensation Cycle: Simulates day-night alternation, with heating to 60-80°C during the light phase and cooling to 40-60°C during the condensation phase, with humidity exceeding 95% RH.

Spray Function: Some devices (e.g., QUV/spray) support deionized water spraying to simulate rain wash-off effects.

Irradiance Control:

Electronic Eye System: Monitors irradiance in real-time via sensors and automatically adjusts lamp power to maintain stable output.

Calibration Function: Supports irradiance traceability and automatic calibration, extending lamp life (typically over 1600 hours).

Safety and Convenience:

Protection Design: Uses UV-filtering glass to reduce harmful ultraviolet exposure to operators.

Modular Structure: Components such as lamps and sample racks can be quickly replaced, with support for custom designs (e.g., dark chamber configurations).

Intelligent Control: Equipped with touchscreens or programmable control systems, supporting multi-segment test programming and automatic error alerts.

4. Application Scenarios: Testing Needs Across the Entire Industry Chain

Material R&D: Evaluates the weather resistance of new materials (e.g., nanocoatings, bio-based plastics) and optimizes formulation design.

Quality Control: Checks consistency between production batches to ensure products meet industry standards (e.g., ASTM G154, ISO 4892).

Failure Analysis: Identifies causes of material failure (e.g., additive migration, polymer degradation) by simulating aging processes.

Certification Testing: Provides weather resistance certifications (e.g., UL, SGS) for products, enhancing market competitiveness.

5. Purchasing Recommendations: Matching Equipment Performance to Needs

Limited Budget: Choose basic models (e.g., from Aipu Technology) that support temperature, humidity, and basic light control.

High-Precision Needs: Prioritize devices equipped with electronic eye irradiance control systems and condensation-spray functions.

Large-Scale Testing: Consider high-capacity devices that support testing hundreds of samples simultaneously to improve efficiency.

Industry Customization:

Automotive Industry: Requires high-temperature and high-humidity cycle testing (e.g., 85°C/85% RH).

Photovoltaic Industry: Needs support for UVC band testing to evaluate the UV resistance of encapsulation materials.

Medical Industry: Must comply with GMP standards and be equipped with sterile spray systems and data traceability functions.

6. Market Trends: Intelligence and Integration

IoT Integration: Some devices now support remote monitoring and data upload, ensuring transparency in the testing process.

AI-Assisted Analysis: Uses image recognition technology to automatically assess sample aging levels (e.g., grayscale comparison), reducing human error.

Green Design: Employs LED UV lamps, reducing energy consumption by over 50% and minimizing mercury pollution risks.