Plastic and polymer materials are essential in automotive parts, building panels, packaging, and consumer goods. However, extended outdoor exposure leads to discoloration, chalking, cracking, embrittlement, and loss of mechanical strength.
Natural outdoor testing is slow, inconsistent, and heavily weather-dependent. For manufacturers who need reliable durability data quickly, relying on nature is impractical.
An ASTM G155 Xenon Arc Chamber offers controlled accelerated aging testing, simulating sunlight, heat, humidity, and rain. This enables precise, repeatable testing and dramatically reduces development cycles.
One of our clients in India recently reported that after using LIB industry’s Xenon Arc Chambers, they were impressed by the performance, noting it matched leading international brands while offering a more competitive price. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, they confirmed the reliability and consistency of our chambers, giving them full confidence to integrate our equipment into their material testing processes.
ASTM G155 is the internationally recognized standard for operating xenon arc light apparatus for exposure of nonmetallic materials. It is widely used in plastic and polymer testing to ensure reproducible, real-world correlated results.
ASTM G155 specifies:
Full-spectrum solar simulation (UV, visible, and infrared)
Controlled irradiance at key wavelengths (commonly 340 nm)
Black panel temperature monitoring
Optional humidity and water spray cycles
Use of interchangeable optical filters, such as daylight or window glass filters
Compared to UV-only chambers, ASTM G155 xenon arc systems simulate the complete solar spectrum, allowing manufacturers to capture more realistic polymer degradation mechanisms. This ensures higher confidence in durability predictions and global market compliance.
UV-only chambers are limited to ultraviolet light exposure and cannot replicate the combined effects of visible and infrared radiation or thermal cycling. Many polymer degradation mechanisms are influenced by heat and full-spectrum sunlight, which UV chambers alone cannot simulate.
ASTM G155 xenon arc chambers provide:
Full-spectrum sunlight simulation
Controlled black panel temperature
Programmable humidity and spray cycles
Accurate and standard-compliant aging data
For high-value applications—automotive, building materials, and outdoor consumer goods—xenon arc testing ensures realistic durability evaluation that aligns with international quality standards.
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Polymer degradation is a multi-factor process. The ASTM G155 xenon arc chamber replicates the three key environmental factors driving material aging:
Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light break molecular chains in polymers, leading to:
Surface chalking and gloss loss
Discoloration and fading
Micro-cracking and brittleness
A 4500 W water-cooled xenon lamp delivers a stable 280–800 nm spectrum. Replaceable filters (daylight, window glass, UV-extended) allow precise simulation of specific environmental conditions, ensuring that accelerated testing reflects real-world outdoor exposure.
Heat accelerates oxidation and structural breakdown within polymers. Black panel temperature is controlled between 35–85°C (±2°C), simulating outdoor thermal stress in combination with full-spectrum irradiation.
Moisture plays a critical role in polymer durability. The chamber supports:
Adjustable humidity from 30–98% RH (±2.5%)
Programmable dry/wet cycles
Water spray to simulate rain and condensation
These features ensure accelerated yet realistic polymer degradation, including cracking, surface deterioration, and loss of mechanical strength under combined environmental stress.
To truly achieve accurate and repeatable polymer aging results, every component of the chamber must work in perfect harmony. From the xenon lamp to the rotating sample rack and precise environmental controls, a thoughtfully engineered system ensures consistent, reliable, and standard-compliant testing every time.
4500 W water-cooled xenon lamp
280–800 nm spectral range covering UV, visible, and infrared light
Replaceable optical filters for daylight, window glass, and UV-extended conditions
Lamp life up to 1600 hours, reducing downtime and maintenance
Water-cooled lamps provide excellent heat dissipation, ensuring stable light output and spectral purity. The integrated quartz and borosilicate filters eliminate stray wavelengths, guaranteeing reliable, repeatable exposure conditions.
Rotating sample rack accommodates up to 42 specimens
Each sample receives consistent light and water spray exposure
Eliminates shadowing and ensures uniform aging
Improves reproducibility and cross-sample comparison accuracy
The workroom is constructed of SUS304 mirror stainless steel, which resists corrosion, moisture, and temperature extremes. The reflective interior ensures that light is evenly distributed across all specimens, supporting highly accurate test results.
PID touch-screen controller for programmable operation
Real-time display of irradiance, temperature, and humidity curves
Stores up to 120 programs, each with 100 segments
Scheduled startup/shutdown and automatic alarms
Multi-language interface for global usability
Remote PC monitoring via Ethernet/RS232 link, supporting centralized laboratory management
Automation reduces human error, ensures test repeatability, and facilitates compliance with quality management standards.
Closed-loop water recycling with multi-stage filtration
Automatic water level detection and replenishment
Clean water spray for realistic testing while reducing water consumption
Lower operational costs and environmental footprint
Integrated radiometer ensures precise irradiance monitoring
Spray nozzles simulate realistic rain exposure
Rotating sample holder enhances data reliability and sample uniformity
Four height-adjustable casters ensure stable, flexible placement
Black panel measures real specimen temperature for accurate aging evaluation
With these integrated capabilities, the chamber delivers a complete solution for plastic and polymer durability evaluation, offering consistency, precision, and operational efficiency.
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| Workroom | Hanging specimen |
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| Control system | Rain spray system |
The ASTM G155 xenon arc chamber is widely used for:
Automotive exterior plastics and trim components
PVC panels, roofing, and building materials
Masterbatch and pigment evaluation
Packaging materials exposed to sunlight
Engineering plastics for consumer and industrial products
Using the chamber, manufacturers can assess:
Color retention and gloss stability
Surface cracking resistance
Mechanical property retention
Long-term durability under realistic environmental conditions
For laboratories with less demanding full-spectrum requirements, LIB industry also offers UV test chambers, providing a cost-effective solution for simplified UV aging studies. This flexibility allows laboratories to select the right tool for specific test needs without compromising on data quality.
Accelerated testing enables faster development cycles, reduces field failures, and ensures that products are market-ready with validated longevity.
Accurate, repeatable polymer aging evaluation is critical to product quality and longevity. A high-performance ASTM G155 Xenon Arc Chamber from LIB industry provides:
Full-spectrum simulation with water-cooled xenon lamps
Precise temperature and humidity control
Uniform sample exposure for reliable data
Intelligent automation and remote monitoring
Water-efficient and environmentally friendly operation
In addition to technical excellence, LIB industry offers comprehensive after-sales support:
3-year warranty covering major components
Lifetime technical support for installation, maintenance, and training
Dedicated service ensuring equipment uptime and reliable performance
Investing in an ASTM G155 xenon arc chamber from LIB industry not only improves product quality but also ensures confidence in laboratory operations. Contact us today to explore a customized solution tailored to your plastic and polymer aging evaluation needs.
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