SUNTEST CPS+ Compact Xenon Arc Weathering Test Chamber，ASTM C1442

In the fields of materials science and product development, accurately and efficiently predicting how materials change over long-term exposure to natural environments is a critical challenge. Factors such as sunlight, temperature, and humidity affect material properties, often taking months or even years to manifest. However, researchers and engineers cannot wait such long periods to evaluate product durability, which has driven the development of accelerated weathering test technologies. The SUNTEST CPS+ Compact Xenon Arc Weathering Test Chamber (hereinafter referred to as SUNTEST CPS+) is a specialized testing device designed to simulate material aging under natural environmental conditions. It uses a xenon arc lamp to mimic natural sunlight, enabling rapid simulation of long-term outdoor or indoor exposure, thereby providing reliable data for product development, quality control, and performance validation.

Background and Significance

Materials in natural environments are continuously exposed to solar radiation, air temperature fluctuations, humidity changes, and ultraviolet light, all of which can cause fading, yellowing, cracking, or embrittlement. While traditional outdoor testing yields authentic aging results, it is time-consuming, highly dependent on environmental variability, and costly. To address these limitations, laboratories have developed instruments for simulating environmental aging. Xenon lamp–based accelerated weathering testers are widely used because they can deliver full-spectrum radiation closely approximating natural sunlight.

Xenon arc aging equipment allows materials to be tested under controlled laboratory conditions by adjusting irradiance, temperature, and humidity to simulate long-term environmental exposure. The SUNTEST CPS+ is a concrete application of this technology, capable of replicating years of sunlight-induced material changes in a short period. This enables researchers and quality control personnel to rapidly assess the weathering performance of materials and products.

Core Design Concept

Xenon Arc Light Source Simulation

The SUNTEST CPS+ uses a 1500W air-cooled xenon arc lamp as its light source. This lamp emits a broad spectrum including ultraviolet, visible, and partial infrared light, closely matching the spectral distribution of natural sunlight. The device allows direct adjustment of irradiance over selected wavelength ranges, such as 300–400 nm or 300–800 nm, providing highly realistic illumination conditions for lightfastness and weathering testing.

The light system incorporates non-aging quartz filters and selectively reflective mirrors, improving light output consistency and prolonging system stability and lifespan. The chamber also provides additional space for optical filters, allowing users to customize spectral conditions according to specific testing requirements.

Control System and Environmental Parameter Adjustment

The SUNTEST CPS+ is microprocessor-controlled and features a programmable keyboard and display. Users can intuitively set experimental parameters, including irradiance, Black Standard Temperature (BST), and test duration, while key metrics such as chamber air temperature (CHT) and BST are continuously monitored and recorded. BST is a critical measure of sample surface temperature and is managed via dedicated sensors to ensure stable and reliable test conditions.

The device comes with pre-programmed test routines and allows up to six user-defined testing schemes for different materials and objectives. The interface supports multiple languages, including English, German, Chinese, Spanish, and up to 11 languages in total, ensuring accessibility for global users.

Key Technical Features

As a compact xenon arc weathering chamber, the SUNTEST CPS+ is designed for practicality and efficiency, with notable features including:

Compact benchtop design: The device measures approximately 90 × 35 × 35 cm, occupying minimal laboratory space. The exposed sample area is 28 × 20 cm (about 560 cm²), suitable for flat samples or small three-dimensional specimens.

High-precision light control: Irradiance can be precisely set across ultraviolet (300–400 nm) and broader (300–800 nm) spectral ranges, simulating conditions from direct sunlight to indoor lighting and meeting diverse testing standards.

Advanced temperature control: BST can be controlled from approximately 35–100°C without additional cooling, enabling precise adjustment for thermally sensitive materials. Sensors provide real-time monitoring to ensure stable, repeatable conditions.

Data output and connectivity: Standard RS232 serial interfaces allow test data to be exported to external systems or computers for analysis.

Multilingual and programmable: The user interface supports 11 languages and includes multiple preset programs, with options for custom test routines to meet industry standards or research needs.

Applications

The SUNTEST CPS+ is widely used across industries due to its ability to closely simulate natural sunlight and environmental changes:

Material lightfastness evaluation: Plastics, rubber, coatings, textiles, and other materials can undergo color fading, degradation, or cracking under sunlight. The device reproduces these effects in the laboratory to evaluate material performance under different lighting conditions.

Cosmetics and pharmaceutical photostability testing: Sunlight exposure can degrade active ingredients or alter the color of sensitive products, affecting safety and shelf life. The SUNTEST CPS+ provides controlled conditions to assess light sensitivity and durability.

Packaging and print durability: Transparent packaging and films may suffer photodegradation and loss of mechanical strength under sunlight. Laboratory simulation allows performance assessment and formulation optimization.

SPF sunscreen testing: With appropriate accessories, the chamber supports in vitro SPF testing by controlling light intensity and test conditions to provide crucial data for product validation.

Academic research and quality control: Universities and research institutions use the device for weathering studies and aging mechanism research, while industrial quality control departments apply it to ensure consistency across material batches.

Accessories and Expansion Modules

To broaden testing capabilities, the SUNTEST CPS+ offers optional accessories:

SunFlood immersion unit: Tests material resistance to high humidity and simulates rain or soaking conditions, critical for coatings and sealants.

SunCool refrigeration unit: Controls low-temperature test environments for thermally sensitive materials, including certain chemicals or cosmetics.

Additional filters and sensors: Supports installation of optical filters to simulate sunlight through different glass types or varying light scenarios. Humidity sensors can monitor relative humidity inside the test chamber.

Industry Standards and Test Relevance

The SUNTEST CPS+ is designed to comply with multiple international standards for weathering and photostability, including ISO and ASTM. Users can replicate standard test conditions by adjusting irradiance, temperature, and humidity, ensuring results meet regulatory requirements.

The SUNTEST CPS+ xenon arc weathering test chamber, with its compact size, high precision, realistic sunlight simulation, flexible test parameters, broad application range, and rich accessory options, is an essential tool for materials research, quality control, and performance validation. It provides efficient, reliable, and reproducible solutions for laboratories, industrial R&D, and quality inspection departments.

As materials science and testing standards continue to evolve, advanced instruments like the SUNTEST CPS+ will play an increasingly important role in new material screening, eco-friendly material evaluation, and development of light-sensitive products, driving improvements in product design and quality across industries.