Atlas Xenotest Beta+ Xenon Arc Weathering Test Chamber

Overview

The Atlas Xenotest Beta+ is a high-performance, standalone xenon arc weathering test chamber engineered for precise simulation of outdoor solar radiation, thermal stress, and moisture exposure. Utilizing three 2200 W air-cooled xenon lamps, it delivers controlled irradiance across the critical 300–400 nm UV–visible spectrum—up to 120 W/m² (equivalent to two suns)—enabling accelerated aging studies under reproducible, traceable conditions. Its 4000 cm² exposure area accommodates larger specimens or higher sample throughput without compromising uniformity. Unlike fixed-sample-frame systems, the Beta+ employs XENOSENSIV sensor technology: integrated irradiance and black standard temperature sensors operate directly at the specimen plane, enabling real-time, closed-loop control of spectral irradiance (W/m²), black standard temperature (°C), chamber air temperature (°C), and relative humidity (% RH). This architecture ensures metrological rigor aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 principles and supports GLP-compliant testing protocols.

Key Features

• Triple 2200 W air-cooled xenon lamp array with active power regulation and lamp-life monitoring
• XENOSENSIV in-situ sensing: simultaneous measurement and feedback control of irradiance (300–400 nm) and black standard temperature at specimen level
• Programmable dual-temperature control: independent regulation of chamber air temperature (≤70 °C) and black standard temperature (≤130 °C) via precision fan modulation
• Ultrasonic humidification system delivering stable, particle-free RH control from 10% to 95% RH
• Integrated water spray system with 60 L built-in reservoir; programmable frequency, duration, and dry/wet cycle sequencing
• XENOCHROME filter assemblies—daylight and window-glass variants—constructed from UV-transmitting fused quartz sleeves to replicate natural spectral distribution
• Full-color capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive multilingual navigation (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese)
• Onboard storage for up to 10 user-defined test methods plus preloaded profiles compliant with ASTM G155, ISO 4892-2, SAE J2527, and AATCC TM16
• Diagnostic logging, real-time error alerts, and automatic calibration verification prompts

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Beta+ accommodates flat-panel, rigid, or semi-flexible specimens up to 4000 cm² total surface area—including automotive trim, architectural coatings, textiles, polymers, and photovoltaic encapsulants. Its rotational sample holder ensures uniform exposure across large-format samples. All operational parameters adhere to internationally recognized weathering standards: irradiance control meets ASTM G155 Class A requirements; spectral output conforms to ISO 4892-2 daylight and window-glass filters; humidity and temperature profiles satisfy ISO 11341 for paint and varnish evaluation. The system supports full audit trails and electronic signatures when configured with optional XenoTouch remote monitoring and FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant software modules—making it suitable for regulated environments requiring GMP/GLP documentation integrity.

Software & Data Management

Test execution, parameter logging, and reporting are managed via the embedded Linux-based controller. Data—including irradiance, temperature, humidity, spray status, and diagnostic flags—is timestamped and stored internally with 32 MB non-volatile memory. Export options include SD card (FAT32), RS-232 serial output (ASCII CSV), and Ethernet TCP/IP connection for integration into corporate LIMS or SCADA networks. Optional XenoTouch accessories enable remote access (web browser or mobile app), email alert notifications upon test completion or fault detection, and live dashboard visualization. All data files include embedded metadata (operator ID, method name, calibration date, lamp hours) to support traceability per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.5.

Applications

The Xenotest Beta+ serves R&D laboratories, quality assurance departments, and third-party testing facilities engaged in material durability validation. Typical use cases include: comparative fade resistance assessment of automotive interior plastics per SAE J2527; UV stability screening of exterior architectural coatings under ISO 11341; long-term yellowing evaluation of optical films and LED encapsulants; photostability qualification of pharmaceutical packaging materials per ICH Q1B; and accelerated corrosion testing of coated metals under cyclic light/dark/humidity/spray regimes. Its dual-temperature capability makes it uniquely suited for evaluating thermal degradation mechanisms concurrent with photooxidation—a critical factor in polymer failure analysis.

FAQ

What standards does the Xenotest Beta+ support out-of-the-box?
It includes preconfigured test methods for ASTM G155, ISO 4892-2, ISO 11341, SAE J2527, AATCC TM16, and GB/T 16422.2.
Can irradiance be controlled at wavelengths other than 300–400 nm?
No—the XENOSENSIV sensor is optimized for the 300–400 nm band, which governs most photochemical degradation pathways; broader spectral control requires optional spectroradiometric add-ons.
Is the ultrasonic humidifier maintenance-intensive?
It features auto-descaling cycles and uses deionized water only; annual filter replacement and quarterly reservoir cleaning are recommended.
How is lamp aging compensated during extended tests?
The system continuously monitors lamp voltage/current and adjusts power output to maintain set irradiance; lamp hour counters trigger alerts at 1500 h intervals for scheduled replacement.
Does the Beta+ support remote firmware updates?
Yes—via secure HTTPS upload through the Ethernet interface, with version rollback capability and SHA-256 signature verification.