Weathering testsfor the highest demands

With the Global-UV Test Unit Type UV200Weiss System – Construction as per the Federal Institute

for Materials Research and Testing

Weiss Umwelttechnik GmbHSimulationsanlagen Messtechnik

Flexible in use . . .

Further developmentof tried and testedtechnologyAided by a profound understandingof the essential, functional require-ments were harmonised with anattractive design in the further de ve l-opment of the Global-UV test unit.

The outstanding features . . .

Weathering tests according toDIN EN ISO 4892-3 procedure A(lamp combination) cycle number3+ 4, DIN EN 12224, VDI 3958page 12, DIN EN 1297 and EOTATR-010 with high temperatureand humidity constancy andaerosol-free humidification.

Universal use in the frameworkof tests, materials developmentand damage assessments:Simulation of extreme climatesand of acid rain (pH value ≥3),e.g. for the ADF (acid dew andfog) and the AR (acid rain) test(VDI 3958 page 12).

Weathering of specimens andcomponents with large surfaceareas

Efficient ratio of useful test spacearea and installation surface

2

Removable radiation door whichis easily opened for good accessto the test chamber

The spectral irradiance can bevaried by means of the use ofother fluorescent lamps

Folding screen made of specialsafety glass for easy access tolight sources

Digital S!MCON/32*-NET meas -uring and control system with32 bit processor

Environmentally friendly materials

Low investment, operating andmaintenance costs

Das Global-UV-TestgerätTyp 200 in der Ansicht mitgeöffneter Bestrahlungstür.

The type 200 Global-UV test unit as seen with

opened radiation door.

. . . and in application

Decisive factors . . .

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Products made from polymers,such as plastics and laminates,vehicles paints and technical tex-tiles, are frequently required towithstand a range of climate conditions.

In practical application, the simul-taneous impact of

UV radiation

Temperature

Air humidity

Rain (including acid rain)

Mechanical effects

and their cyclic change, e.g. in thediurnal rhythm, are decisive forageing behaviour.

In this context, UV light in sunlightand diffuse sky radiation is espe -cially important. It can cause altera-tions in the surface of materials,which – accelerated by other cli -mate factors, such as temperatureand humidity – lead to the typicalsymptoms of ageing, e.g. dullness,discolouration, cracks, brittlenessand molecular change.

Staggered simulations of naturalweathering in devices always requi-res a restriction of the number ofclimate values or their cyclic altera-tions. The Global-UV test unit simu-lates the most important climatefactors which are relevant forageing.

In today’s competitive environment, the reliability of materials is a decisive factor.

The new generation . . .

Radiation . . .

In other test procedures, too muchattention is paid to the simulationof the entire global radiation andthe simulation of other importantclimate factors is neglected.

However, it is also important thattemperature conditioning andhumidification are controlled in areproducible manner and that theair is humidified without aerosols.Moreover, any uncontrolled over -heating on account of the radiantheat of the lamps has to be preven -ted.

Test procedures according to DINEN ISO 4892-2 prescribe e.g. thesimulation of the overall range ofglobal radiation, the disadvantageof which is that the influencing fac-tors of specimen temperature andhumidity or their cyclic alterationscan only be controlled very vaguely.In test procedures with fluorescentlamps according to DIN EN ISO4892-3 only the simulation of thephotochemically effective spectralrange ≤ 400 nm (UV-A and UV-Bradiation) is prescribed. This meanswe dispense with radiation heatingof the specimens but gain the pos-sibility of climate conditioning thespecimens in the entire naturaltemperature and humidity range ina precise and reproducible manner.

Within the UV-Global test unit,radiation is effected with specialfluorescent lamps in the wavelengthrange from 290 nm to 450 nm.

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Apart from radiation, other climate factorsalso play an important role.

Aerosol-free humidification

Highly efficient and uniformtem perature conditioning andclimate conditioning of the test space

Specimen protection tmin/tmax

TFT colour touch panel with simple, menu-driven operation(programming skills not required)

32 bit processor

Steplessly controlled setting ofthe irradiance

Networking with other testsystems possible

Spraying system with recircula -tion pump and reservoir

Automatic switch-off of the UVradiation upon opening of thetest space door

E-part (swerving) and TFT colourtouch panel in protection classIP 54

Service-friendly design onaccount of good accessibility of the components which arerelevant for maintenance

The advantages at a glance . . .

The Global-UV test unit has amodular design and is deliveredready for plugging in so thatassembly and commissioning onsite are not required. A condensatedrain or an exhaust system to beprovided by the client is not anabsolute necessity.

The entire system is designed foruse under extreme conditions andensures reliable operation and along service life.

. . . with decisive benefits

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Technical description . . .

The illustration shows the relativeirradiance in the Global-UV test unitcompared with the global radiationaccording to CIE publication no. 85(1989). The irradiance in the UVrange corresponds to the maxi-mum UV irradiance in Davos.

The spectral range above 400 nmwhich has been expanded compar -ed with the requirements laid downin DIN EN ISO 4892-3 takes accountof the fact that very sensitive mate-rials can display photoreactions upto 450 nm. Because of this animproved correlation of the resultswith natural weathering can beexpected.

However, this is not the only aspectin which the Global-UV test unit dif-fers from more simple executionsof devices for these standards.

Error diagnosis system for sup-porting maintenance and repair

Considerable increase in the service life of the psychrometeron account of self-cleaning humi-dity sensors

Automatic refilling of water with a big reservoir without anyinterruption of operation

Standard pipe port (Ø 50 mm)for inserting supply lines, etc.

Low connected electric loads

Environmentally friendly high-quality insulation

Adjustable feet, individuallyheight adjustable

Powder coating

Standard calibration of 2 temperature values (+20 °C and +80 °C) and of 2 climate values (+23 °C/50 % r.h. and +50 °C/10 % r.h.)

With regard to climate conditioningof the test chamber, the Global-UVtest unit is also the only devicewhich provides an exact adjust-ment of temperature and humiditywith corresponding positive effectson the reproducibility and compa-rability of weathering results.

Exact controlling is of specialimportance since temperaturechanges of ± 1°C can alter theageing results by ± 8 %.

Industrialised countries often expe-rience acid rains with low pHvalues. The Global-UV test unit allows testing with acid precipita -tion of ph ≥ 3 or according to theVDI guideline 3958 page 12(Environmental simulation – Impactof acid precipitation on polymermaterials – Test procedures, edition2004-02) and the draft for DIN55663 (Coating materials – arti fi -cial weathering with additional acidimpact, draft for a new standard,edition 2007-09).

Wavelength, nm Global-UV test

Global radiation CIE 85, solar altitude

Rel

ativ

e sp

ectr

al i

rrad

ian

ce (

%)

Function and technology. . .

Functional principle

Air conditioned to precisely thedesired value flows continuouslythrough the test chamber. The aircirculation channel installed at therear of the test chamber containsthe components required for airconditioning. The air circulatingsystem guarantees optimum rout -ing of the air.

The newly developed patented cli-mate system permits a high rela -tive humidity even under heat load.

The humidity of the test chamberair is measured psychrometricallywith two Pt 100 resistance thermo-meters. Dry and wet-bulb thermo-meters are positioned next to eachother in the circulating air stream.The fabric of the wet thermometeris submitted to forced humidifica -tion depending on the respectiveclimate. This considerably increa-ses the service life!

The S!MCON/32*-NET control systemcontrols the temperature and thehumidity.

An external air fan can be switchedon in addition for fast dehumidifi-cation and rinsing.

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The Global-UV test device in use

Wet-bulb thermometer with forced humidification

TFT colour touch panel

. . . with a sophisticated design

Construction features

The self-supporting external hous -ing is made of corrosion-resistant,galvanised steel plate and paintedin two colours (RAL 5000 blue andRAL 9002 grey-white).

The test chamber is made of corro-sion-resistant galvanised sheetsteel. A stainless steel grille is fit-ted to the air circulation wall, onwhich specimens or specimen con-tainers can be suspended.

The environmentally friendly insu-lation between the test chamberand the external housing guaran-tees the best possible insulatingvalues and, hence, the lowest pos-sible operating costs.

The radiation door is fitted with 18fluorescent lamps which emit diffe-rent wavelengths simulating thephotochemically active spectrum ofnatural global radiation between290 and 450 nm.

These lamps operate with electro-nic ballasts which safeguard aradiation output which is indepen-dent of fluctuations in the mainsvoltage. The reduction in the radia-tion which is caused by the ageingof the lamps is compensated auto-matically.

The radiation door is hinged on theleft. The handle ensures that thedoor is sealed with the requiredpressure at all times.

The Global-UV test unit is fittedwith one pipe port made of a mate-rial with low thermal conductivity.It is installed in the right side paneland can be used to install measur -ing and control lines, other supplyconnections or additional equip-ment.

In addition to the adjustable thres-hold monitoring in the S!MCON/32*-NET control system, the Global-UVtest unit is equipped with an adjust -able under- and over-temperatureprotection (protection of specimenswith a separate sensor) accordingto EN 60519-2 (1993).

Warnings are given optically and asa text message. In addition to this,a potential-free contact is available.Each electric functional circuit hasits own safeguard which shutsdown the circuit or the whole unitin the event of malfunctions.

The electric system corresponds tothe relevant engineering standards,the accident prevention regulation“Electrical systems and means ofproduction (BGV A2)” as well as therelevant VDE regulations. All testchambers comply with the EMC,low voltage and machinery direc-tives.

The refrigerant used is the environ-mentally friendly R 404 A with 0 %relative ozone-depleting potential.

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The flexible design permits fast maintenance.

Reliable control . . .

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Control and program control with the digital measuring/control system S!MCON/32*-NET

The S!MCON/32*-NET is a self-moni-toring, digital 32 bit measuring andcontrol system and has been de -signed specifically for use in testcabinets.With its computing power, theS!MCON/32*-NET fulfils the require-ments of procedural engineeringand simplifies the input functionwith a touch panel developed spe-cifically to that end.

The TFT colour touch panel withgraphics capabilities and a resolu -tion of 640 x 420 pixels is part ofthe standard equipment.

The S!MCON/32*-NET system pro -vides all the functions which arerequired for controlling the system.In addition to the control systemfor temperature and humidity, italso contains a highly efficient soft-ware PLC which co-ordinates allfunctions, monitors and reportsmalfunctions.

TFT colour touch panel, heightadjust able, for conveniententering of fixed value andprogram operation with a graphic display of target andactual values, the run time andthe number of the remainingcycles, etc. including a helpfunction

Program memory for up to 100 programs with a total of1000 sections, 250 loops and9999 program cycles

Software support for the potenti-al free switch inputs and outputs

4 potential-free switch inputsand outputs each

Password protection, with twostages, against inadvertentadjustments

Integrated limit value monito-ring system for temperature andhumidity

Inspection system reports mal-functions and records the unitrun times and the switching frequency of individual systemcomponents

Serial RC 232 C interface, sepa-rated galvanically, for connectionto a higher-ranking computersystem or for networking

Compatible with the simulationmanagement software S!MPATI*

for comfortable administrationand archiving of the data sets

2 extension slots for measuringinput and output modules.

Special features . . .

. . . and easy to control

S!MPATI* Simulation system for test system integration

Operation and documentation

Printing out measured data as agraph and copying such intoother programs. Internal interfa-ces make S!MPATI* compatiblewith

– Microsoft Word

– Microsoft Excel

– National InstrumentsLabview

– Special user software by meansof on-line and socket interface(TCP/IP access)

The computer-supported simula tionmanagement software S!MPATI* isavailable for gapless documenta -tion and graphic evaluation. If thesystem is installed on a standardPC, the user has access to the full range of applications underWindows 2000, Windows 2003Server or Windows XP Professional:

The Global-UV test unit can be operated via

the TFT colour touch panel or

S!MPATI*.

The programs developed are trans-ferred into the S!MCON/32*-NETmeasuring and control system.

Compatibility and flexibility pro -vide new and extended opportuni-ties for test engineering by meansof the connection with peripheralsystems.

The compatibility with all softwareproducts from Weiss Umwelttechnikmeans that further convenient ope-ration and monitoring optionsarise.

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In particular, the following is possible:

Comfortable development of testprograms with the graphic editor

Controlling the test process

Recording measured data

Networking of up to 99 systems

Administrating your programsfor production processes andtests in a clear manner

Equipment and accessories in detail . . .

Standard equipment

Test chamber temperature°C

Test

cham

ber

hu

mid

ity

% r

.h.

Digital display of temperatureand relative humidity

Control system for irradiance

Inspection window with UV-tightflap

Operating hour counter for thedevice

Operating hour counter forradiation, resettable

1 port Ø 50 mm (in the left side panel)

Non-contact switching of theheating

Spraying with circulation pumpand reservoir

Over-/under-temperature protec-tion according to EN 60 519-2(1993), with a separate sensor,thermal safety class 2

Special temperature conditioningsystem in the climate workingrange for high temperature andhumidity constancy

Dewing protection with dehumi-difier coil in order to avoid theformation of condensate on thespecimens

Psychrometric humidity mea -surement

TFT colour touch panel heightadjustable

S!MCON/32*-NET with humidity cal-culator and integrated limit valuemonitoring system for humidity

Insufficient water display

t’ sensor with forced humidification

Serial interface RS 232 C

4 potential free switch inputsand outputs each

No-contact switching of the heating

Options

Automatic re-adjustment of theirradiance via radiation sensor

Ceiling lugs for securing heavyspecimens

Equipment for testing of hori-zontal surfaces (roofing felt,asphalt, etc.)

Rapid temperature change 2 K/min. and 6 K/min.

Water-cooled execution for re-cooling plant, cold pumpingwater or town water

Mobile execution

Ports for measuring cables, Ø 50 or 100 mm

Insulating door for use as a climate test chamber for extremetemperature and humidityvalues

S!MPATI* software package forWindows 2003 Server, Windows 2000/XP Prof

Additional potential-free switchinputs and outputs

System for recording measureddata for Pt 100, voltage signals,current signals and thermo -couples

Ethernet/LAN interface (10/100 Mbit) in connection withS!MPATI* for integration into anetwork

Configuration modules for inter-face standards, such as RS 422,RS 485 (4 conductors), IEEE488.2 and fibre-optic cable

Additional Pt 100 sensors/Black standard thermometers/thermocouples

Analog outputs for actual values

Field bus interface on request

Fan with speed control

Different voltages and frequencies

Calibration deviating from standard

Special accessories on request.

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Type Unit UV200

Test chamber volume l 200

Test chamber dimensions Height approx. mm 1180Width approx. mm 830Depth approx. mm 250

Specimen carrier area m2 0.75

External dimensions1) Height approx. mm 2030Width approx. mm 1000Depth approx. mm 1190

Floor clearance mm 100

Radiation door Height approx. mm 1340Width approx. mm 995Depth approx. mm 205

Observation window Height x width mm 60 x 500

Temperature range without radiation °C – 20 . . . + 80with radiation °C – 10 . . . + 80

Temperature constancy over time K <_ ±1

Climate working range °C +10 . . . + 80Dewpoint temperature range °C + 9 . . . + 40

Humidity range (depending on temperature) % r. h. 10 . . . 95

Humidity constancy % r. h. <_ ± 5

Irradiance in wavelength range approx. W/m2 45.0from 290 to 400 nm, in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4892-3, procedure A (combination of lamps)

Reservoir for precipitation approx. l 60

Reservoir for humidifier approx. l 8

Water supply for humidifier Demin. water at max. 0.5 l/hConductivity at max. 20 µS/cm

Condensate drain Counterpressure-free, DN 20

Cooling unit Air-cooled

Finish RAL 9002/RAL 5000

Mains connection 3/N/PE AC 400 V ±10 % 50 HzCEE plug, 32 A, 5 pole

Power approx. kVA 9.0/25 A fuse, inert

Weight approx. kg 500

Sound pressure level measured in open approx. dB (A) 60space at 1 m in front of unit

. . . technical data

1) Without TFT colour touch panel, without door lock and hinges.

All technical changes reserved.

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Test systems for professionals. Test the best . . .

A complete line of systems is avail able offering test space vol-umes ranging from approx. 34 l to2,160 litres, a working range from– 75 . . . +180 °C and relative humidi-ty values ranging from 10 . . . 98 %r.h.

We also offer an extensive line offield-proven test systems speciallyfor simulating exposure to weather,temperature shock, corrosion andlong-time tests for application in research, development, qualitycontrol and production.

Of course, Weiss – as one of theleading producers of environmentalsimulation systems world-wide –offers the entire spectrum of high-tech test systems starting from aseries of cost-effective test systemsup to customised walk-in chambersand in-line systems.

If it’s know-how, service and relia -bility that you are looking for –contact Weiss Umwelttechnik.

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You can find further information,technical branch offices in Ger -many, subsidiaries and representa-tions worldwide at

www.weiss.info

Weiss Umwelttechnik GmbHSimulationsanlagen Messtechnik35447 Reiskirchen-Lindenstruth/Germany • Greizer Str. 41 –49Telefon (0 64 08) 84-0 • Telefax (0 64 08) 84-87 10www.weiss.info • www.wut.com • eMail: info@wut.com