SUNTEST XLS+ - Atlas

Benchtop Xenon Arc Weathering Chamber

The SUNTEST XLS+ is a benchtop xenon arc weathering instrument used to check for property changes of materials and products caused by sunlight, temperature and moisture. Outdoor or indoor aging that would typically occur over months or years — fading, yellowing, loss of strength — can be reproduced in weeks under controlled laboratory conditions.

The instrument uses a single air-cooled 1700 W xenon arc lamp and can simulate both window-glass filtered sunlight and artificial indoor lighting conditions such as supermarket lighting, in accordance with CIE 85 reference sun standards. It is used in R&D material development and standardised quality control across textiles, plastics, coatings, and photostability applications.

Chamber and Exposure Area

The SUNTEST XLS+ has a static flat chamber with an exposure area of 39 × 30 cm (1170 cm²) and overall dimensions of 90 × 54 × 62 cm. The chamber accommodates both flat specimens and 3-D objects. Irradiance is controlled directly at 300-400 nm (30-65 W/m²), 340 nm (0.25-0.60 W/m²), or 300-800 nm (250-765 W/m²). Illuminance control covers 45-130 klx. Temperature control uses the Black Standard Temperature (BST) sensor per ISO 4892-1 (range 45-100°C); Black Panel Temperature (BPT) control (45-95°C) is also available.

Control Interface and Test Programs

The instrument has a colour touch screen with 15 selectable languages. Ten free programmable test programs with up to 12 phases each are available, alongside a library of 11 pre-programmed weathering tests covering the most common methods. Data connectivity is via Ethernet (WXView II compatible), RS232, or memory card. The optional XenoTouch software add-ons provide remote control, e-mail notification, and online monitoring.

Optional Accessories

The SunSpray unit adds water spray during exposure for rain simulation. The SunFlood immersion unit is used for testing under continuous moisture. The SunCool chiller lowers the operating temperature for heat-sensitive samples such as pharmaceuticals and beverages. Filter options include Daylight, Window Glass, Solar ID 65, and Store Light filters for specific application requirements.