UV Weathering Test Chamber - ToronUV™-300
UV Weathering Test Chamber - ToronUV™-300
UV weathering test chamber ToronUV™-300 is a fluorescent UV accelerated weathering instrument that simulates the combined destructive effects of sunlight, heat, and moisture on materials under controlled laboratory conditions. Sunlight and humidity cause significant material damage across industries every year, degrading surfaces through fading, gloss loss, cracking, peeling, chalking, and oxidation. The ToronUV™-300 compresses months or years of outdoor exposure into days or weeks by running alternating UV irradiation cycles and condensation or water spray cycles that reproduce the photochemical and moisture-related damage materials face in real service. The instrument is widely used across paint, automotive, plastics, wood coatings, adhesives, and rubber testing applications.
Eight 40 W fluorescent UV lamps (UVA-340 or UVB-313, imported from the United States) are arranged on both interior sides of the chamber, exposing a 600 × 600 mm sample area with a fixed 50 mm lamp-to-sample distance. Irradiance output is continuously adjustable from 0.3 to 1.55 W/m² through a closed-loop control system that uses an imported high-precision UV sensor (200–480 nm band) to automatically compensate for lamp aging and hold the programmed energy dose throughout the test. A self-developed high-performance ballast with independent intellectual property rights drives the UV lamps, maximizing their service life and maintaining spectral stability across batches. The SUS304 stainless steel inner chamber, SUS316 stainless steel condensation heating tube, and anodized aluminum alloy sample holders deliver long-term chemical resistance with minimal maintenance.
A Siemens S7-200 PLC with Siemens analog input/output modules drives the entire test sequence, paired with a Kinco 7-inch LCD touch screen for full parameter access and real-time status display. The control platform supports program operation (6 groups × 10 segments, up to 9,999 hours) and fixed-value operation, records all equipment status parameters at one-minute intervals, and stores data in EXCEL format for USB export without manual transcription. Power-failure memory preserves the active program if an outage occurs, and the system resumes automatically. The intelligent automatic conversion expansion servo system reduces electricity consumption by over 30% compared to conventional designs, making the ToronUV™-300 one of the more energy-efficient chambers in its class.
UV Weathering Test Chamber - ToronUV™-300 Applications
The ToronUV™-300 addresses weathering qualification needs across a wide range of industries where surface durability must be verified before products enter service. Applicable industries and use cases include:
- Paints, Varnishes, and Industrial Coatings: evaluating fade resistance, gloss retention, and adhesion failure in architectural, marine, automotive, and industrial coatings per ISO 11507, ASTM D4587, and related standards
- Plastics and Polymer Components: accelerated aging of plastic parts, films, and sheet materials to measure color shift, surface embrittlement, and mechanical property loss per ASTM D4329 and ISO 4892-3
- Automotive Exterior Materials: testing painted body panels, trim, lighting lenses, bumper fascias, and weatherstripping for combined UV and moisture degradation per SAE J2020
- Wood Products and Wood Coatings: assessing yellowing resistance, cracking, and surface breakdown in solvent-based polyurethane, water-based, UV-curing, and coil coatings for interior and exterior wood applications
- Adhesives, Sealants, and Glues: verifying bond integrity and substrate adhesion after alternating UV irradiation and high-humidity condensation cycles
- Rubber and Elastomers: measuring surface cracking, hardness change, and tensile strength loss in rubber compounds under accelerated UV and moisture exposure
- Metal Coatings and Painted Metal: testing two-coat painted metal systems for corrosion resistance and coating adhesion after cyclic UV/moisture exposure per ASTM D5894
- Textiles and Technical Fabrics: qualifying awnings, geotextiles, and outdoor-use technical fabrics for UV stability and color fastness before field deployment
Standards
The ToronUV™-300 supports test programs conducted under the following internationally recognized standards. Chinese national standards (GB/T series) listed in the supplier documentation are excluded from this list per Qualitest's publishing policy.
- ISO 11507 - Paints and Varnishes - Artificial Aging Exposure of Coatings - Exposure to Fluorescent UV Light and Water
- ISO 4892-3 - Plastics - Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources - Part 3: UV Fluorescent Lamps
- ASTM D4587 - Standard Practice for Fluorescent UV-Condensation Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
- ASTM D5894 - Standard Practice for Cyclic Salt Fog/UV Exposure of Painted Metal (Two-Coat Systems)
- ASTM G154 - Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
- ASTM D4329 - Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus Exposure of Plastics
- SAE J2020 - Accelerated Exposure of Automotive Exterior Materials Using a Fluorescent UV and Condensation Apparatus
UV Weathering Test Chamber - ToronUV™-300 Key Features
The ToronUV™-300 integrates UV irradiation, moisture simulation, precision temperature control, and automated data management into a single instrument. The full feature set includes:
UV Radiation System
UVB 313B
UVA 340 Lamp
- 8 US-Imported UV Lamps (UVA-340 or UVB-313): eight 40 W Q-LAB fluorescent lamps arranged on both chamber sides cover a 600 × 600 mm lighting area with a fixed 50 mm sample-to-lamp distance, providing uniform irradiance across all test specimens
- Self-Developed High-Performance Ballast: the proprietary ballast with independent intellectual property rights is engineered specifically to match the electrical characteristics of the imported UV lamps, extending their operational service life and reducing lamp replacement frequency
- Batch-Certified Consistent Spectrum: each lamp batch passes a rigorous series of spectral tests before approval, providing a stable, repeatable emission spectrum year after year for consistent inter-laboratory and inter-run comparisons
Irradiance Control System
- Closed-Loop Irradiance Control (0.3–1.55 W/m²): an imported high-precision UV sensor (200–480 nm band) delivers continuous real-time feedback to the Siemens control system, which automatically adjusts lamp ballast output to maintain the programmed irradiance value throughout the test run
- Automatic Lamp-Aging Compensation: when UV output falls below the set irradiance value due to lamp aging, the system detects the deviation and automatically increases ballast drive to restore the target level without operator intervention
- Irradiance Auto-Correction and Error Alarm: the system includes automatic irradiance correction with a correction prompt function and a large-irradiance-error protection alarm that flags deviation beyond acceptable limits
Moisture Simulation
- Steam Condensation Mode (≥85% RH): the SUS316 stainless steel heating tube heats reservoir water to produce hot steam that fills the chamber, maintaining 100% relative humidity on the sample surface with the specimen forming part of the chamber wall for true condensation formation
- Water Spray Mode (4 Nozzles): four spray nozzles installed between the UV lamps activate while the lamps are off, delivering a brief, controlled water spray that cools the specimen rapidly to simulate the thermal shock of rain on a sun-heated surface and can also model stress corrosion effects
- Pure Distilled Water on Sample Surface: the temperature differential between the steam-filled chamber and the room-air-cooled back of the specimen causes water vapor to condense as pure distilled water on the test face, even when ordinary tap water is used in the reservoir
Temperature and Heating System
- Dual Heating Method: air heating via a cast aluminum heater and water tank heating operate together for fast temperature rise and uniform temperature distribution across the test zone
- PID + SSR Temperature Control: proportional-integral-derivative control with solid-state relay output maintains the UV cycle temperature range (50°C to 70°C) and condensation cycle range (ambient to 60°C) with ±2°C uniformity
- High-Precision Pt100 Black Panel Thermometer: a Japan RKC blackboard thermometer composed of a PT100 sensor and a high-weather-resistant metal black panel measures the absorptive surface temperature (40°C to 65°C) independently from chamber air temperature, providing the thermal reference required by major test standards
Control System
- Siemens S7-200 PLC Platform: the independently developed control system uses a Siemens S7-200 PLC with Siemens analog input/output modules for precise, stable process control with fault detection and alarm recording
- Kinco 7-Inch LCD Touch Screen: the touch screen interface provides a clear, menu-driven display of all test parameters, live sensor readings, alarm status, and accumulated operating hours, readable and operable at any point during a test run
- Flexible Program Management (6 Groups × 10 Segments): the system stores up to 6 independent test programs each with 10 programmable segments, covering UV irradiation, condensation, and spray phases in any sequence; program run time is selectable from 1 to 9,999 hours
- Schneider Relay and Air Switch: Schneider intermediate relays and air switches handle power distribution and circuit protection, with OMRON components used for the SSR interface to maximize control element service life
- 1-Minute Status Logging: the system automatically collects and records all equipment status parameters every minute throughout the test run, creating a complete and queryable operational record
Data Management and Connectivity
- Real-Time Excel Data Export via USB: test data (irradiance, temperature, humidity, program status) is automatically generated and recorded in EXCEL format during the run and can be exported to a USB drive at any time without manual transcription, supporting fully unattended operation
- TCP/IP Ethernet Network Interface: a standard Ethernet port allows operators to remotely monitor the running status of the chamber from a networked PC, enabling oversight of multiple chambers or remote laboratories from a single workstation
- Power-Failure Memory: the system retains the active program settings and accumulated run data after a power outage, resuming the test from the correct state when power is restored so that test data is never lost
Water Supply and Management
- Automatic Water Level Control: the water supply system monitors the reservoir level continuously and triggers automatic refill from the water inlet to maintain the correct water volume for condensation and spray without operator intervention
- Water Supply Adjustment Range (0–4 LPM): inlet flow rate is adjustable to match the consumption of the active test mode; spray mode consumes 5 L/min and condensation mode uses approximately 7 L/day
- Water Purity Monitoring: the system requires Grade III laboratory water (pH 6.0–8.0, conductivity <5 μS/cm, solids <1 ppm, silicon <0.1 ppm); a booster pump is available as an option to allow use of bottled water without a pressurized supply line
Protection System
- Over-Temperature Protection: when chamber temperature exceeds 93°C by 10%, the system automatically cuts off lamp and heater power and enters a cooling mode; an independent over-temperature protector and buzzer activate for immediate operator notification
- Door Interlock (IEC 047-5-1): opening the chamber door while the UV lamps are on automatically cuts lamp power and initiates equilibrium cooling to protect the operator from UV exposure; the safety door lock mechanism meets IEC 047-5-1 requirements
- 10+ Automatic Protection Configurations: the system includes automatic protection and alarm functions for leakage, short circuit, over-current, low water level, heating overload, and large irradiance error, with controller outage memory to prevent program loss
Construction and Installation
- SUS304 Stainless Steel Inner Chamber: the corrosion-resistant liner withstands prolonged humidity, condensate, and spray exposure without surface degradation, protecting test specimens from contamination
- Stainless Steel Shell with Plastic-Spray Finish: the outer enclosure uses a stainless steel sheet metal body with a durable plastic-spray surface coating for long-term appearance and corrosion resistance
- Adjustable Aluminum Alloy Sample Holders: one-piece stamped and anodized aluminum alloy frames accommodate flat panels and irregular three-dimensional specimens with height adjustment to maintain the 50 mm lamp-to-sample distance
- Air Decompression/Balance Exhaust: the chamber incorporates an air decompression and balance exhaust system that prevents internal pressure buildup during heating cycles
- High-Quality PU Caster Wheels: four lockable polyurethane casters on the chamber base allow the unit to be repositioned easily within the laboratory and then secured in place during operation
- Energy-Efficient Servo Drive System: the intelligent automatic conversion expansion servo system reduces electricity consumption by over 30% compared to conventional resistance heating designs, lowering operating costs over long test programs
Theory and Method
Photodegradation is the primary mechanism by which outdoor exposure damages most polymer-based materials. Short-wave UV radiation (roughly 295 nm to 400 nm) carries enough photon energy to cleave molecular bonds within polymer chains, pigments, and organic binders, leading to progressive fading, chalking, cracking, and strength reduction. The ToronUV™-300 reproduces this mechanism using fluorescent UV lamps concentrated in this same damage-relevant spectral window. Unlike xenon arc sources, fluorescent UV lamps produce minimal visible or infrared output, isolating the photochemical degradation mechanism without the added thermal load that can shift the dominant failure mode.
Two lamp types are available to match both the spectral requirements of applicable standards and the expected outdoor exposure environment. The UVA-340 lamp closely replicates the spectral power distribution of direct sunlight in the critical 295 nm to 365 nm range and represents the most realistic simulation of outdoor UV for most materials. UVA-340 lamps are the standard choice for ISO 11507, ASTM G154, and SAE J2020 programs. The UVB-313 lamp emits shorter wavelengths at higher energy than the solar UV that reaches Earth's surface naturally, accelerating degradation at a faster rate than outdoor conditions would produce. UVB-313 lamps serve quality-control and comparative ranking applications where the goal is rapid material differentiation rather than precise outdoor correlation. Each batch of lamps passes a rigorous series of spectral tests before shipment, providing a consistent, stable emission spectrum throughout the rated service life of 6,000 hours.
Outdoor materials remain wet from dew, condensation, and rain for up to 12 hours per day, and research consistently shows that dew (condensation), not rain, is the primary contributor to moisture-related material damage. The ToronUV™-300 simulates this through a unique condensation function: water in the reservoir at the chamber base is heated to generate hot steam that fills the entire test space, maintaining 100% relative humidity at the sample surface. The chamber design positions each test specimen as part of the chamber side wall so that its back face contacts the cooler room air. The resulting temperature differential across the specimen drives continuous condensation on the front (test) surface as pure distilled water, even when ordinary tap water feeds the reservoir. An optional water spray mode complements the condensation cycle: four nozzles installed between the UV lamps activate when the lamps are extinguished and deliver a brief spray that rapidly cools the sample. This short, controlled water spray recreates the thermal shock a material experiences when accumulated heat is suddenly dissipated by rain, and it can also simulate mechanical erosion and stress corrosion effects.
UV Weathering Test Chamber - ToronUV™-300 Technical Specifications
Performance Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Lamp Model | UVA-340 / UVB-313 (rated service life: 6,000 hours) |
| Number of UV Lamps | 8 |
| Lamp Power | 40 W each |
| Sample-to-Lamp Distance | 50 ± 2 mm |
| Lighting Area | Approx. 600 × 600 mm (W × D) ± 2 mm |
| Irradiance Range (settable) | 0.3 – 1.55 W/m² |
| Irradiance Sensor Bandwidth | 200 – 480 nm |
| Exposure Modes | Steam condensation exposure; light (UV) exposure; water spray (optional) |
| Temperature Range – Light Cycle | 50 – 70°C |
| Temperature Range – Condensation Cycle | Ambient (RT) to 60°C |
| Spray Temperature | Room temperature |
| Black Standard Temperature | 40 – 65°C |
| Black Standard Thermometer Type | Double metal blackboard thermometer (Japan RKC, Pt100) |
| Temperature Uniformity | Within ±2°C |
| Humidity – Condensation Period | ≥ 85% RH |
| Humidity – Irradiation Period | ≤ 75% RH |
| Temperature Controller | Siemens S7-200 PLC with Kinco 7-inch LCD touch screen |
| Temperature Control Method | P.I.D. + S.S.R. program |
| Temperature Sensor | DIN PT-100Ω, SUS#316 stainless steel |
| Program Capacity | 6 groups × 10 segments |
| Program Run Time | 1 – 9,999 hours (selectable) |
| Test Time (display) | 0 – 999 hours (adjustable) |
| Water Supply System | Automatic (0 – 4 LPM adjustable) |
| Inlet Water Pressure | 2.8 – 5.5 bar |
| Water Purity Requirements | pH 6.0–8.0; conductivity < 5 μS/cm; solids < 1 ppm; silicon < 0.1 ppm |
| Water Consumption – Condensation Mode | 7 L/day |
| Water Consumption – Spray Mode | 5 L/min |
| Spray System | 4 nozzles installed between UV lamps |
| Illumination Heating System | Independent nickel-chromium alloy electric heater (cast aluminum air heater) |
| Condensation Humidification System | SUS316 stainless steel heating tube, automatic condensation |
| Humidification Method | Stainless steel shallow-surface evaporative humidifier |
| Lamp Ballast | Self-developed high-performance special ballast |
| Inner Chamber Material | SUS304 stainless steel plate |
| Shell Material | Stainless steel sheet metal, plastic-spray finish |
| Sample Holder Material | Aluminum alloy (one-piece stamped and anodized) |
| Inner Dimensions (W × H × D) | 1,050 × 600 × 600 mm |
| External Dimensions (W × H × D) | Approx. 1,350 × 1,850 × 850 mm |
| Weight | 160 kg (actual shipping weight higher; varies by shipping method) |
| Power Supply | 220 V, 50 Hz, max. 15 A |
| Communication Interfaces | TCP/IP Ethernet; USB |
| Data Logging Interval | Every 1 minute (automatic) |
| Data Export Format | EXCEL format via USB |
| Operating Environment Temperature | 20 – 30°C (storage: up to 55°C) |
| Operating Environment Humidity | 0 – 85% RH |
| Drainage Pipe Diameter | > 26 mm |
| Drainage Pipe Height from Floor | ≤ 100 mm |
| Mobility | High-quality fixed/swivel PU caster wheels |
Automatic Control System Functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Water Level Management | Automatic water replenishment + automatic water level height control |
| Irradiance Control | Closed-loop with imported UV sensor; auto-compensation for lamp aging; auto-correction prompt |
| Temperature Control | PID + SSR; cast aluminum air heater; automatic temperature control |
| Condensation Control | SUS316 stainless steel heating tube; automatic condensation humidification |
| Black Panel Temperature | PT100 sensor + high-weather-resistant metal black panel; independent measurement |
| Water Supply Replenishment | Automatic water pump control |
| Spray System | Programmable spray cycles; activates when lamps are off |
| Power Failure Memory | Active program and data retained after outage; automatic resume |
| Data Recording | Status parameters logged every 1 minute; queryable at any time |
| Remote Monitoring | TCP/IP Ethernet interface for remote status viewing |
Standard Component List
| Item | Quantity | Brand / Origin |
|---|---|---|
| UVA/B Fluorescent Lamps | 8 pcs | Q-LAB (USA) |
| Temperature Controller | 1 set | TEMI |
| Blackboard Thermometer | 1 pc | Japan RKC |
| Radiometer | 1 pc | Original import |
| Electronic Components | 1 set | Schneider |
| Rectifier | 4 sets | Philips |
| Electric Heating Tube | 2 pcs | Taiwan Customized |