Natural and accelerated outdoor exposures can be conducted either under glass or directly exposed to the sun and weather. Artificial, laboratory accelerated lightfastness or weathering tests, using optically filtered full solar spectrum
xenon arc sources, can be conducted to industry standard test methods in your lab or ours. For oversize product testing, Atlas’ laboratories have environmental chambers equipped with specialized full-spectrum metal halide sources for large area solar simulation.
Depending on your product and specific needs, Atlas has a variety of laboratory lightfastness and weathering instruments. Our
Xenotest instruments are commonly used for textile testing, or small volume testing of paints & coatings, plastics, inks, etc. Atlas Ci-Series instruments are higher powered, larger test specimen size and overall sample capacity instruments and meet most industry standard test methods. The
SUNTEST instruments range from benchtop units, useful for testing small test specimens, to floor standing models suitable for larger individual test specimens, or those with more 3-dimensionality than typical flat samples.
Full solar or window-glass filtered spectra are generally preferred over UV-only testing, especially for color and appearance properties. This is because many photodegradation reactions are the result of far-UV and visible light exposure, and specimen temperatures are closer to those in actual service use. However, if the wavelength sensitivity of your product is well understood, fluorescent-condensation testing with the
UVTest may be appropriate, or if required by a standard.
Atlas’ weathering science experts can advise the proper testing technique, parameters and equipment based on your product characteristics, how and where it is used, and your individual needs.