Q-SUN Xenon Lamp Aging Test Chamber Placement Sample Analysis
Q-Sun xenon lamp aging test chamber can accelerate the aging of materials caused by full-spectrum sunlight and the natural environment. It has functions such as full-spectrum sunlight irradiation intensity and temperature control. It is widely used in plastics, electronics, construction, automobiles, oil coatings, food and beverages, and other industries. During the use of the Q-Sun xenon lamp aging test chamber, how to place the test sample is a key operation, because the placement of the sample will affect the test results. The R&D technical engineer of Shanghai Qianshi Precision Electromechanical Technology Co., Ltd. explains the placement of test samples and hopes to help customers.
Note: This article is only suitable for the Q-SUN Xe-1 xenon lamp aging test chamber and Q-Sun Xe-3 xenon lamp aging test chamber, not for the Q-Sun Xe-2 xenon lamp aging test chamber.
Placing test samples
Q-Sun lamp aging test chamber provides a flat sample tray, which can test both flat and three-dimensional samples. Since the Q-SUN xenon lamp aging test chamber is blown into the chamber from above, to prevent the lighter samples from being blown away, it is best to stick them to the sample tray with tape. At the same time, please note that three-dimensional samples with relatively high sample heights should not be placed next to the blackboard thermometer during the test. Because it will cover the blackboard thermometer.
Solid and hollow sample trays
There are two types of sample trays for the Xe-3 xenon lamp aging test chamber model: flat sample trays and hollow sample trays. The flat sample tray is partially isolated from the back of the sample, making the sample temperature higher than that placed on the hollow sample tray. Therefore, users must decide which sample tray is more suitable for their samples and test requirements.
When using a hollow sample tray, in addition to the test sample, other positions should be filled with blank panels to allow air to circulate normally. Otherwise, the air will also circulate between the sample trays and cannot circulate stably over the sample. Given practicality, the hollow sample tray is not very convenient to use, so it is more practical for most tests.
Panel Holder
The Panel Holder is required to hold flat specimens in the sizes 2”x4" (50x100mm), 3”x6" (75x150mm), 4”x6” (100x150mm), and 4”x8” (100x200mm). The Panel Holder comes with a blank Q-Lab plate and a retaining ring.
The Panel Holder sits on the specimen tray and allows you to hold specimens without gluing them to the tray. They also make it easier to reposition specimens.
Mounting Film and Textile Specimens
The Panel Holder can also be used to mount film and textile specimens. Place the film or textile specimen on the Panel Holder and then place the aluminum plate on top. The retaining ring holds the plate and specimen in place.
If film and textile specimens require that the back side of the specimen does not have a solid panel (the specimen can “breathe”), a special type of Panel Holder is required. It is called the Textile/Film Holder. Note that the solid panel in the middle is replaced by a hollow panel.
Textile Masking Panels
There are two types of textile masking panels that can be used to mask different parts of a sample during an exposure test.
The first is a perforated paper masking panel that is useful for progressive weathering of the same sample. For example, a sample can be placed in a Q-Sun weathering chamber for 4 days, but a portion of the sample is exposed for only 1 day, and other portions are exposed for 2, 3, and 4 days by removing a different portion of the masking panel each day. Textile masks can be mounted on panel holders that are 2” x 4” (50x100mm) in size.
The second type of textile masking panel is the type described in ISO 105 B02. It has two metal masks. One that covers 1/3 of the sample (called the 1/3 masking panel) and another that covers the other 2/3. Use the 1/3 masking panel to expose 2/3 of the sample, and then replace it with the 2/3 masking panel to expose the remaining 1/3.
Standard Reference Materials
When testing standard reference materials, such as polystyrene or blue wool, the reference material should be placed directly in front of the blackboard.
Three-dimensional samples
If testing three-dimensional samples, it should be noted that the light intensity on the sample portion above the sample tray is higher than that displayed on the controller. The following figure shows the relationship between light intensity and height from the tray surface.
Changing test samples
To compensate for the uneven light intensity and temperature on each sample, it is recommended to rotate the position of the test samples periodically. Determine the rotation period based on the total test time. If the test is 2000 hours (12 weeks), then rotate at least once a week; if the test is 100 hours, then rotate at least once a day. After rotation, the test samples have approximately the same amount of time in each position throughout the test area.