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 Sunshine Carbon Arc Weather-Ometers (SWOM), which use an open flame 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, synthetic resin, and window glass adhesives.

For more information on carbon arc testing, contact an expert today.

Standards

Element is accredited to perform carbon arc testing to the following standards:

ASTM G152: standard practice for operating open flame carbon arc light apparatus for exposure of nonmetallic materials
ASTM D1499: standard practice for filtered open flame carbon arc exposures of plastics
JIS B 7753: light exposure and light and water exposure apparatus (open flame carbon arc type)
JIS D 0205: test method of weatherability for automotive parts
NES M 0135: weatherability and light resistance test methods for synthetic resin parts
NES M 0141: test method for coating of synthetic resin
MES MN 201B: test method for plastic materials
MES MN 350M: window glass adhesives

Related services offered

Fluorescent UV

ASTM G154; ASTM D4587

Ozone

ASTM D1149 (Method B); ASTM D1171; ASTM D518

Metal Halide

DIN75 220; SAE J575; MIL-STD-810E (Method 505.3); MIL-STD-810F (Method 505.4)

Xenon Arc

AATCC 16.3; ASTM G155; ASTM D4798/D4798M (xenon arc method); ASTM D2565; ASTM D4459; ASTM D7869; SAE J1885; SAE J1960; SAE J2412; SAE J2527

Our capabilities

Our Materials Testing Services

Abrasion and Wear Testing Aerospace Fasteners Aircraft Interiors Flammability Testing Chemical Analysis Chemical Processing Composite Testing Computed Tomography Contamination Testing Corrosion Testing Die Steel Qualification Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Eddy Current Inspection Etching Expert Witness Services Failure Analysis

Fastener Testing Fatigue Testing FEA Foam Testing FTIR Fractography Services Fracture Toughness Fuels and Lubricants Testing Hardness Testing Impact Liquid Penetrant Inspection Magnetic Particle Material Properties Mechanical Testing Metallurgical Testing NDT Field Services Nondestructive Testing and Inspection

Nonmetals Failure Analysis Nonmetal Mechanical Testing Nonmetal Testing On-site metallographic examination Paint and Coating Material Testing Services Passivation Polymer Matrix Composite Testing Polymer Testing Services Positive Material Identification Radiographic Inspection Residual Stress Measurement Residue Analysis Sour Service Corrosion Testing Stress Rupture and Creep Testing Stress Strain Analysis Tensile Testing Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Accelerated Weathering Testing

We provide Xenon Arc testing, Carbon Arc testing and UV Exposure testing to simulate exposure of your products or materials to ultraviolet radiation, temperature and moisture.

Corrosion Testing

Find out about Element’s corrosion testing services, from salt spray to cyclic corrosion, pitting and crevice corrosion testing.

Polymer Testing

We offer world-class materials expertise in polymers, elastomers, thermoplastics, composites and structural adhesives.

ASTM G154 and ASTM G155 Explained

Learn about ASTM G154 and ASTM G155 and how they empower manufacturers to design products that can withstand exposure to sunlight and moisture.

Our team are ready to help.

Make an inquiry today