Xenon Arc Lamps Create Ideal Conditions for Accelerated Weathering

From medicine and industry to scientific research, xenon arc lamps are used for a wide variety of applications that require a high level of precision. One especially useful feature of xenon lamps? Their ability to produce artificial radiation that mimics the characteristics of sunlight.

In our previous blog post, we explored how this feature of xenon arc lamps makes it possible to test the quality of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. However, the ability of xenon arc lamps to simulate sun exposure also has another important use in a testing procedure known as accelerated weathering. Used by the automotive industry, as well as for applications in textiles and packaging, accelerated weathering is a procedure that assesses product durability by predicting how materials will respond to environmental factors over time.

When exposed to corrosion, ultraviolet lights, high or low temperatures or extreme humidity, materials used outdoors begin to demonstrate various signs of deterioration. These can include changes in color and strength, along with cracking, oxidation and blistering. Weathering tests allow manufacturers to predict how materials such as ink, rubber, paint, roofing and decking will react to prolonged environmental exposure, ensuring that their products not only fulfill regulatory requirements but also maintain a high standard of quality.

Weathering tests fall into two main categories: natural weathering, which uses natural conditions to demonstrate how a material reacts to exposure over time; and laboratory weathering, which simulates extreme conditions in a controlled indoor environment. While natural weathering leads to more accurate and reproducible results, it’s also an extremely time-consuming process that doesn’t allow for efficient testing and remodeling of materials. For this reason, accelerated laboratory weathering—which uses xenon, carbon or fluorescent lamps to simulate and speed up the effects of solar radiation—is much more common than natural weathering for testing the durability of materials.

Xenon arc lamps are known for being a powerful source of artificial light that creates ideal conditions for accelerated weathering. As a high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp, these products produce light in an electric arc using ionized, high-pressure xenon gas. With their unfiltered spectra and ability to create high temperatures, xenon arc lamps closely replicate the effects of sunlight while also accelerating its effects, providing an efficient means of demonstrating the reaction of materials to sun exposure over time.

Applied Photon Technology (APT) manufactures the highest quality xenon flash and arc lamps on the market. As a manufacturer that prioritizes precision, power and performance, we’re constantly finding new and cutting-edge applications for our products—including for testing the durability and overall quality of products in the automotive, textile and packaging industries.

To learn more about our xenon arc lamps and the ways they can be used for accelerated weathering, contact us here!