Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
When we think of atmospheric factors that cause the deterioration of materials, precipitation, humidity, and extreme temperatures immediately come to mind. Less well known, the sun also plays a role. Simple exposure to sunlight, known as solar radiation, causes accelerated aging for a whole range of materials we use in everyday life. Modern climatic chambers can simulate this condition using xenon lamps.
What Are Xenon Lamps?
Technically, xenon lamps are a type of arc lamp and use xenon gas as a fuel, producing a very intense light. Invented in the mid-twentieth century, they have been used as projectors in cinema, as flashes in photography, and as headlights for cars.
Because the quality of the light they emit is very similar to the spectrum of sunlight, they are now used in climatic chambers to simulate the effect of solar radiation on various types of materials. This characteristic makes them the ideal instrument for accelerated aging tests with xenon light.
Types of Xenon Lamp Tests
Tests performed with xenon lamps are divided into three main categories, depending on the objective:
- Weathering test (atmospheric aging): simulates prolonged exposure to sunlight, rain, and temperature changes. It evaluates the overall degradation of the material under realistic outdoor conditions.
- Lightfastness test: measures resistance to discoloration and color change caused by exposure to light. Essential for fabrics, paints, colored plastics, and packaging materials.
- Photodegradation test: analyzes the chemical and structural alterations that UV and visible radiation causes in the material, such as yellowing, embrittlement, and loss of mechanical properties.
The choice of test type depends on the material, the application sector and the reference standard.
The Reference Standards: ISO 11341, ISO 4892 and ASTM G155
The procedures for testing xenon lamps are regulated by several international standards:
- ISO 11341 — Defines methods for simulating solar radiation exposure for paints and coatings. It is the reference standard for the surface finishing industry.
- ISO 4892 — Specifies methods for the simulated solar radiation exposure of plastic materials. Part ISO 4892-2 specifically concerns xenon arc lamps and is essential for the chemical and polymer industries.
- ASTM G155 — American Standard for the Use of Xenon Arc Apparatus for the Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials.
- SAE J 2527 — Automotive-specific standard defining test conditions for interior and exterior vehicle components.
Which Materials and Sectors Benefit from Xenon Testing
Countless everyday products are constantly exposed to sunlight. Virtually every material can benefit from a xenon lamp to assess its resistance to the effects of radiation. Consider how easily fabrics, leather, rubber, plastics, and painted metals fade.
The main sectors requiring testing with xenon lamps are:
- Automotive: certification of resistance to solar exposure of interior components (dashboards, seats, upholstery) and exterior components (paints, plastics, gaskets)
- Building and construction: tests on facade cladding, waterproofing membranes, PVC profiles, sealants exposed to atmospheric agents
- Packaging: evaluation of the light fastness of packaging, labels and printed materials displayed in shop windows
- Chemical and cosmetic: photostability tests on formulations, industrial paints, adhesives and protective coatings
- Aerospace: qualification of materials and coatings exposed to solar radiation in space and at altitude
How a Xenon Lamp Camera Works
The effects of solar radiation on materials are measured over months or years, because most damage occurs during the summer months and during the hours when the sun is at its zenith. In the climatic chamber with xenon lamps, these long-term exposures can be simulated over days or weeks.
Thanks to complementary tools, it is also possible to alter the temperature and humidity of the environmentto accurately recreate real-world exposure conditions. With the help of glass filters, the simulation can take into account factors such as the effect of a windshield partially shielding the interior of a car.
The FDM Camera with Xenon Lamps
FDM Xenon light test chambers are equipped with a 1600W xenon arc lamp illumination system. Compared to growth chambers , they have a wider temperature range (0 to 80°C) thanks to an enhanced refrigeration system, meeting the specifications of ISO 11341, ISO 4892 and ASTM G155 standards.
The standard configuration includes:
- Air temperature sensor
- Relative humidity sensor
- Black standard thermometer or black panel thermometer
- Xenon arc lamps
- Sunlight filter
- Glass filter
Xenon lighting is set on a single plane and occurs horizontally. For special needs, FDM also creates customized solutions with specific configurations.
Discover the FDM Xenon Light Test Chamber or contact us for technical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xenon Lamp Testing
What is the difference between xenon, UV-A and fluorescent UV-B?
Xenon lamps reproduce the entire solar spectrum from UV (295nm) to visible and infrared, simulating real irradiance (Full Sun ≈ 0.55 W/m²/nm @ 340nm). UV-A 340 (ISO 4892-3) emits only UV 295-400nm with a peak at 340nm, simulating the most aggressive portion of sunlight but without the visible/IR. UV-B 313 is more severe and accelerated but less realistic. Xenon is standard for automotive, textile and cosmetic qualification; fluorescents are for rapid screening.
Typical xenon test duration for automotive qualification?
For vehicle interiors (VDA 75202, SAE J2412): 1250h test (≈ equivalent to 10 years Florida) with a 102-min light + 18-min spray + dark cycle. For exterior paints (SAE J2527, ASTM G155): 2500-5000h equivalent to 3-5 years real-world exposure. Typical acceleration: 5-10x compared to outdoor. Key parameters are irradiance (W/m²), black panel temperature (BPT) and wet/dry cycles.
What spectral filters should I use on a xenon lamp?
Three standard filters: Daylight (simulates sunlight through the atmosphere—exterior use, SAE J2527), Window Glass (filters UV below 310nm—simulates exposure through automotive/building glass, SAE J2412), Extended UV (transmission up to 270nm—accelerates degradation, screening use). The choice depends on the final application: automotive interiors use Window Glass, exterior paints use Daylight.
Can I combine xenon with humidity and temperature?
Yes, modern xenon chambers (Q-SUN Xe-3, Atlas Ci4000) integrate humidity (10-95% RH), air temperature (25-65°C), and black panel (up to 100°C) control, with wet/dry cycles that simulate dew and rain. This combination is mandatory in automotive and textile qualification protocols to represent real-world conditions. FDM manufactures custom combined xenon + salt spray chambers for accelerated corrosion testing
Speak directly with our engineers
Do you need to pass a regulatory test or are you looking for a chamber designed to your test protocol? Tell us your needs: the FDM technical team will respond to you, without intermediaries.
