How Does Xenon Testing Work?

Xenon Chamber testing is a tool that evaluates how ink, coating, laminates and adhesive withstands sunlight, weather, and environmental conditions over time. It’s the best indicator of durability over a long period of time – accelerated.

The chamber replicates heat, UV and moisture in a rapid format. Here’s how it works!

1. A printed decal is applied to the exact surface material in the testing standards. For example, a vinyl-printed logo is applied to a boat engine cowl and 3”x3” piece of the cowl is cut down for testing.

2. The sample piece is placed in the Xenon chamber on a rotating rack that’ll provide even exposure to light and environmental conditions.

3. Inside the chamber, a Xenon arc lamp emits its version of natural sunlight with UV, visible and infrared radiation matching natural outdoor conditions.

4. Outdoor conditions are added throughout the process. Temperature changes from hot to cold. Humidity and heat added with rain. Night and day simulation occurs throughout the rapid process providing a replication of time.

5. Exposure cycles run repeatedly for hundreds or thousands of hours to accelerate aging and expose material degradation. Allowing us to pinpoint how long it takes for failure to occur.

6. We monitor:

   - Color fading

   - Cracking and brittleness

   - Surface degradation

   - Lifting of decal from surface

    

Romo’s testing and pre-production preparedness is a big advantage of working with a company that wants a successful product in the field. Protecting our clients’ brand identity and their customers’ safety experience is important to us.