Carbon Arc Testing

Carbon arc instruments are some of the earliest accelerated weathering test chambers designed to test the light-fastness durability of materials, and remain to this day a valuable test method used to evaluate the resistance of polymeric materials against sunlight and moisture. 

Carbon arc devices use an arcing light source to simulate sunlight. Ignited carbon rods emit ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation as an electric current is arced between them. Element’s laboratories are equipped with open-flame carbon arc devices that can be used to evaluate the optimum integrity for your products, while ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards. 

Materials we commonly test

As materials experts, we have experience performing carbon arc testing on a variety of materials, particularly plastics, paints and coatings.   

Standards we test to

A vast amount of historical data is available on the use of carbon arcs, and some standards and materials specifications still specify their use, specifically ASTM G152 - Cycle 1.