QUV Lamps

UVA Lamps

UVA lamps are especially useful for comparing different types of polymers. Because UVA lamps do not have any UV output below the normal solar cut-on of 295 nm, they usually provide better correlation with ,actual outdoor weathering.

UVA-340 and UVA-340+: These lamps provide the best possible simulation of sunlight in the critical short wavelength region from 365 nm down to the solar cutoff of 295 nm. Peak emission is at 340 nm. UVA-340 lamps are especially useful for comparison tests of different formulations. The UVA-340+ lamps provide the same spectrum, but can be used for testing at higher output levels.

UVA-351: These lamps simulate the UV portion of sunlight filtered through window glass. They are most useful for interior applications, testing of some inks, and for polymer damage that can occur in an environment near a window.

UVB Lamps

Fluorescent UVB lamps are widely used in QC and R&D for fast, cost-effective results. UVB lamps extend below the shortest wavelengths of UV found on earth’s surface, below the solar cutoff of 295 nm. While this can speed up testing, it can also lead to anomalous results.

UVB-313EL and UVB-313EL+: These lamps give fast results and are particularly useful for QC and R&D applications, and for durable materials. UVB313EL+ offer higher maximum output with a similar spectrum to the UVB-313EL lamps.

QFS-40: Also known as FS-40 or F40 UVB, this is the original QUV tester lamp. Although they are still specified in some automotive test methods, QFS-40 lamps have mostly been replaced by UVB-313 lamps, and should only be used in QUV/basic testers.

UVC Lamps

UVC-254: UVC lamps deliver high-intensity shortwave UV light at 254 nm. This represents the most common UVC emission used for use for disinfecting surfaces exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses. While it can kill these pathogens effectively, UVC light can also cause degradation of plastics, coatings, and fabrics. UVC lamps reproduce this damaging irradiance in order to evaluate durability of materials exposed to UVC light.

TUV-421 Lamps

TUV-421: TUV-421 lamps provide the same excellent match to shortwave UV light as UVA-340 lamps, but also deliver long-wavelength UV and short-wavelength visible light. This extended spectrum may reproduce color change effects in materials susceptible to these wavelengths and provide a more complete test. The spectrum from TUV-421 lamps meets the “Type I Daylight” classification for xenon arc lamps with optical filters given in ASTM G155 and ISO 4892-2.