Xenon Test Chamber LXC-C10

Humidity control is a vital aspect of accelerated weathering tests, as many environmental degradation processes—such as corrosion, blistering, and mold growth-are influenced or accelerated by moisture. In a xenon test chamber, relative humidity can be precisely set and automatically maintained using advanced sensors and control systems. This allows simulation of real-world environmental conditions like tropical climates, high-humidity coastal regions, or rapid temperature and moisture fluctuations. When combined with irradiance and temperature control, humidity provides a comprehensive stress-testing environment that better mimics outdoor exposure. This is especially important for industries testing polymers, coatings, packaging materials, or electronics. Controlled humidity allows for more accurate prediction of how materials behave over time under complex conditions, improving both product design and reliability.

The spray function in a xenon test chamber simulates natural environmental phenomena such as rain, dew, or saltwater exposure. It introduces a wetting cycle during or between irradiance periods, adding another layer of stress to test specimens. The chamber allows users to program the spray duration and interval precisely, supporting compliance with international testing standards like ISO, ASTM, or SAE. This wet-dry cycling replicates outdoor scenarios where materials are alternately exposed to moisture and heat, accelerating degradation mechanisms such as cracking, delamination, corrosion, and discoloration. It is particularly important for testing automotive parts, exterior coatings, plastics, and building materials that face real-world weather extremes. By combining light, heat, and water exposure, the spray function greatly enhances the realism and comprehensiveness of weathering tests, resulting in more reliable durability predictions.

Labtron’s xenon test chamber uses a closed-loop irradiance control system that continuously monitors the intensity of the light being emitted and makes real-time adjustments to the xenon lamp power. This ensures that the irradiance stays within the specified range throughout the duration of the test, even as the lamp ages or external conditions vary. Users can choose specific wavelengths such as 340 nm or 420 nm, or use a broad spectral range like 300–800 nm, depending on their test requirements. Built-in sensors and calibration tools allow users to easily calibrate irradiance levels themselves without needing external equipment. Consistent irradiance is essential for repeatable test results and is required for compliance with standards like ASTM G155 or ISO 4892. This high level of control improves the accuracy of accelerated aging predictions and reduces the risk of test result deviation due to inconsistent light exposure.

Labtron supplies advanced xenon test chamber. Xenon arc lamps are essential for weathering tests because they provide a full-spectrum light source that closely replicates natural sunlight, including UV, visible, and infrared wavelengths. This allows for highly accurate simulation of outdoor environmental conditions, making the test results more reliable and applicable to real-world usage. Xenon lamps are especially valuable in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, plastics, and coatings, where light-induced degradation affects product performance. These lamps allow both narrowband and broadband testing, offering flexibility in meeting various standards and application needs. Their superior correlation with natural exposure makes them preferable to other artificial light sources, such as fluorescent or mercury vapor lamps. Furthermore, xenon chambers often include features such as temperature and humidity control to simulate complex climate conditions, enhancing test realism.

Labtron’s xenon test chamber is designed with a rotating sample drum that ensures each test specimen receives consistent and equal exposure to the xenon light source. This mechanical rotation eliminates position bias and ensures uniform irradiance across the entire sample surface. In addition, the chamber is equipped with precision reflectors and optical elements that help distribute the light evenly. A closed-loop control system monitors the irradiance in real time and automatically adjusts the lamp output to maintain stability, even as the lamp ages or environmental conditions change. These features work together to eliminate variability, making test results highly repeatable and comparable across different test runs. Uniform exposure is critical in meeting international testing standards and ensuring fair comparison between samples.