The QUV UV Aging Test Chamber is a test equipment used to simulate the effects of sunlight radiation and other environmental factors on the aging of materials in the natural environment. In addition to the UV radiation function, the QUV Aging Test Chamber also has a condensation simulation function, which is able to simulate the aging behavior of materials in a humid environment.
The condensation simulation function means that the humidity control system in the test chamber can switch between light and humidity regulation to simulate the diurnal changes in the natural environment as well as the contact and condensation process of water vapor. Specifically, when the temperature set by the chamber is lower than the ambient humidity, the condensation simulation function simulates the humid conditions in the actual environment by reducing the temperature of the chamber so that the moisture condenses on the surface of the material.
The main functions of the condensation simulation function are as follows:
1.Simulate real-world environmental conditions: In nature, sunlight, humidity and temperature often coexist. The condensation simulation function provides a more realistic simulation of the aging of materials under wet conditions.
2.Improved aging effect: Under humid conditions, dissolved oxygen and other harmful substances in water vapor will accelerate the aging rate of materials. With the condensation simulation function, the severity of the aging test can be increased, the aging process of the material can be accelerated, and the weatherability of the material can be more accurately evaluated.
3.Testing material moisture absorption: For some materials, moisture absorption is one of the important indicators of their performance. Through the condensation simulation function, the hygroscopic performance of the material in a humid environment can be evaluated, providing a reference for material selection and design.
4.Simulate real-world applications: In some real-world applications, materials are often exposed to moisture, such as outdoor products, automotive parts, etc. With the condensation simulation function, it is possible to better understand how the material will behave in real-world applications, and to make relevant improvements and optimizations.
When we discuss accelerated aging testing in the laboratory, we are looking at the role of light, heat, and moisture in the accelerated aging process of materials. In the midst of the three. Water environment simulation is a challenge in most laboratory accelerated aging test methods. Although both the QUV and Q-Sun xenon lamp weathering chambers can simulate the water environment under natural conditions, there are significant differences in the simulation methods used.
In the laboratory accelerated aging test, it is relatively simple to simulate temperature and irradiance. Irradiance simulations usually simulate the irradiance intensity or high irradiance of the sun at noon in summer to accelerate the aging of materials faster. Temperature-accelerated aging tests typically use sustained high temperatures or rapid temperature changes to accelerate the aging process.
Note: Sunlight and temperature accelerations are often not linear, and while irradiance and temperature settings that deviate from the real natural environment can accelerate the weathering test faster, the correlation between the accelerated weathering test results and natural aging will also decrease due to inconsistency with the natural environment.
The simulation of the water environment is very different from the simulation of light and temperature, and outdoor materials are exposed to 8 to 12 hours of humidity every day. In many cases, accelerated aging testing requires simulating the deep penetration of water into the material. This means that the surface of the material must remain moist for a long time.
One way to speed up the action of water is to increase the temperature of the water. As the temperature increases, the water vapor lifts the moisture in the chamber, allowing the water to penetrate the material. Controlling the temperature of the water in the chamber is relatively simple, and the temperature can be increased to 60 °C in the accelerated aging chamber.