Setting Up Tests; Equip Sample Holders; Select Unit Parameters; Test Duration - Atlas XENOTEST BETA LM Operating Manual

ATLAS
9.

Setting up tests

9.1

Equip sample holders

Lamp, specimen, specimen holders and sensors
heat up considerably during the weathering
tests. Protective gloves must be worn when
removing them to prevent the hands from
being burnt. This applies in particular to
high temperature tests.
The dimensions of the sample holders are 320mm
x 80mm x 10mm and an exposure area of approx.
250 mm². Fix the specimens and possibly cover
plates and fixing sheets with the spring-operated
clamps.
To ensure reproducible exposure conditions always
insert all 16 specimen holders. If individual
holders are not covered with a specimen
they should be covered with a fixing sheet.
Certain standards specify the make-up of the
specimens, e.g. point 5 of DIN 54004 requires the
specimen to be secured to a card. Exposure cards
(100 pieces) can be ordered by ATLAS GmbH (No.
56076547).
Note: A backing layerplaced below the specimen
may affect the surface temperature of the specimen
depending on its material characteristics.
9.2

Select unit parameters

Any material inflammable or explosive at
temperatures below 150 °C must not be
inserted into the unit.
Do not insert materials which despite their
application as directed release toxical sub-
stances.
XENOTEST BETA
Safety hints
Program example on
Function
XENOTEST BETA
Unit set-up
Features
Test set-up
Operating manual XENOTEST BETA LM
1 Disconnect the unit from the mains
(pull mains plug),
2 Insert the chosen filter system with the
corresponding outer cylinder,
3 Insert the lamps,
4 Suspend equipped sample holders in the
carousel and ensure that they are properly
seated,
5 Switch on equipment,
6 Enter the required weathering program.
9.3

Test duration

Standards and test methods lay down test conditi-
ons in accordance with which the system should
be set and the test be carried out. The duration of
exposure is normally not laid down.
Special application-oriented test specifications and
product standards specify exposure times based
on empirical values. Because of the large number
of influencing factors on the exposure results, and
bearing in mind the complex reaction mechanism
during the irradation and weathering of materials,
it is not recommended to conduct tests based on
time.
Therefore, in practical use known reference mate-
rials are used for the determination of the "end
point". The exposure time, e.g. for the determinati-
on of light and weather fastness of textiles in ac-
cordance with ISO 105B02 or DIN 54004, is de-
rived from the comparison between irradiated and
non-irradiated surfaces on the specimen and types
of the light fastness blue scale with the grades on
the grey scale.
Some basic standards already state the target to
determine the exposure time by radiant exposure
(UV range 300-400nm). XENOTEST BETA offers
this programming option.
The XENOSENSIV sensor integrates the irradiance
in the wavelength range 300-400nm over the
exposure time. The actual value can be called up
retrieved at any time via the data output option on
the display panel and printed out by the printer.
When selecting the radiant exposure as the switch-
off criterion the test will end automatically when
the previously specified dosage level is reached in
kJ/m for 300-400nm, or will be interrupted when
2
several switch-off criteria were selected.
Options and accessory
Unit description
of the XENOTEST BETA
Care and cleaning Maintenance
Start-up
List of options
and accessories
Page 51