Xenon Weathering Chamber for Rubber Products

Xenon Weathering Chamber for Rubber Products

Xenon lamp aging tester: a scientific tool for weathering assessment of rubber products

Full-spectrum reproduction, accurate simulation of natural aging

The xenon lamp light source covers UV (290~400nm), visible light and infrared light, with a spectral match of more than 90%, which realistically reproduces the degradation effects of sunlight on rubber, such as molecular chain breakage, surface chalking and elasticity decline, and avoids the deviation between laboratory and outdoor exposure.

Accelerated testing, 90% efficiency improvement

Through high-intensity irradiation (340nm band 0.35~0.55 W/m²), high temperature (up to 99℃) and humidity cycle (20%~98% RH), it can simulate the aging effect of outdoor for 2~5 years in 3 weeks, and quickly expose the problems of rubber cracking, hardening, and yellowing, etc., which can satisfy the requirements of standards such as ASTM G155 and ISO 4892-3.

Multi-scenario adaptation, covering the whole category of rubber

Tire compounds: test UV aging resistance, ozone cracking resistance and dynamic fatigue strength to optimize the formula life.

Sealing products: simulate the compression and permanent deformation of seals in hot and humid environments (e.g. 85% RH/70℃) to ensure long-term sealing reliability.

Automotive rubber parts: light-spray cycle testing of wiper strips, shock absorber pads and other parts to comply with VDA 621-430 and other automotive regulations.

Intelligent control, data-driven R&D

Real-time monitoring of irradiance, temperature and humidity, and spraying parameters on 10” touch screen, supporting customized cycle programs (e.g., 18-minute spraying/2-hour drying).

Automatic calibration system ensures test consistency and data traceability, facilitating rubber formulation optimization and failure analysis.

Quantitative performance, intuitive and reliable results

Colorimeter (ΔE value) to quantify the degree of yellowing, tensile machine to test the retention of tensile strength after aging (e.g. from 25MPa to 18MPa).

Example: A sealing company screened out the best weathering EPDM compounds through 21 days of xenon lamp testing, extending outdoor service life by 3 times.

Comparative advantage: efficiency and comprehensiveness at the same time

Test Method Cycle Simulation Dimension

Natural exposure 2~5 years Real environment, but it takes too long.

UV aging chamber 1~3 months UV only, ignoring heat and humidity effects.

Xenon lamp test chamber 2~4 weeks Full spectrum + temperature and humidity + rain, comprehensive

Operation points and safety regulations

Specimen preparation: cut according to ISO 4665 standard, uniform thickness, no grease contamination on the surface.

Parameter setting: Tire testing commonly used 0.55 W/m² @ 340nm, humidity cycle set to 50% daytime / 95% nighttime.

Safety Protection: Wear goggles when the xenon lamp is turned on, and cool down for 30 minutes after the test before taking samples to avoid burns.

Conclusion: the gold standard for rubber weathering verification

Xenon lamp weathering tester has become an industry necessity with 3 core values:

Efficient acceleration: weeks instead of years, shortening the R&D cycle;

Accurate simulation: full spectrum + multi-environment coupling, data close to the actual;

Global compliance: covering ASTM, ISO, VDA and other standards, opening up the product international certification channel.

Investing in xenon lamp test equipment is equivalent to putting a “scientific insurance” on the weather resistance of rubber products, reducing the risk of market complaints from the source, and enhancing brand competitiveness.

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Xenon lamp aging tester in rubber testing FAQ

Q1：Why must rubber products use xenon lamp aging test instead of natural outdoor exposure?

A1: Although natural exposure is real, the cycle time is too long (usually 2~5 years) to meet the demand of R&D and time-to-market. Xenon lamp test chambers, through full-spectrum simulation (UV + visible light + infrared), temperature and humidity cycles (20%~98% RH) and spraying, can reproduce the aging effect of several years in 2~4 weeks, accurately exposing the rubber yellowing, cracking, loss of elasticity, etc., which can significantly shorten the test cycle and reduce costs.

Q2: What is the typical cycle time for xenon lamp testing of rubber? How to set the parameters?

A2: The test cycle depends on the type of rubber and the target life simulation. For example:

Tire rubber: 21 days continuous testing is often used (340nm band 0.55 W/m², black panel temperature 70°C, humidity cycle 50%~95%) to simulate 2 years aging in tropical climate.

Seals: can be set for 14 days (spray cycle 18 minutes/2 hours drying) to assess compression permanent deformation in hot and humid environments.

Parameters need to be adjusted according to ISO 4892-3, ASTM G155 and other standards and actual use environment.

Q3: Can xenon lamp test results pass international certification? Which standards are supported?

A3: Yes, xenon lamp testing is the core means of mainstream certification, covering standards including:

General standards: ISO 4892-3, ASTM G155, GB/T 12831.

Automotive industry: VDA 621-430 (rubber parts), SAE J2412 (interior materials).

Industrial rubber: ISO 4665 (weathering classification), DIN 53387 (dynamic fatigue test).

The test reports can be directly used for CE, automotive regulations and other certification applications.

Q4: How to ensure the consistency of xenon lamp test results with real environmental aging?

A4: Three key measures guarantee accuracy:

Spectral matching: Xenon lamp + daylight filter combination with over 90% matching in the UV band (290~400nm).

Multi-factor coupling: Synchronized control of light, temperature, humidity and spraying to simulate the synergistic damage caused by the temperature difference between day and night and rainwater washout.

Data calibration: Regularly calibrate the light source with an irradiance meter, compare the data of outdoor exposure samples (e.g. ΔE color difference, tensile strength retention), and correct the test model.