Carbon Arc Lamp Test

Carbon Arc Testing Standards

GB/T 16422.4: "Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 4: Carbon arc lamp"

This standard specifies the methods for exposing plastics to laboratory light sources using a carbon arc lamp.

ISO 4892-4: "Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources - Part 4: Carbon arc lamp"

This ISO standard provides guidelines for exposing plastics to laboratory light sources, specifically the carbon arc lamp.

GB/T 15255: "Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources"

This Chinese standard covers methods for exposing plastics to various laboratory light sources, including the carbon arc lamp.

ASTM G152: "Standard Practice for Operating Open Flame Carbon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials"

ASTM G152 outlines the procedure for operating an open flame carbon arc light apparatus for exposing nonmetallic materials to accelerated weathering conditions.

ASTM G23: "Standard Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus (Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials"

ASTM G23 provides guidelines for operating a light-exposure apparatus (carbon-arc type) with or without water for exposing nonmetallic materials to accelerated weathering conditions.

JIS A1415: "Methods of Exposure to Natural Weathering of Non-Metallic Materials"

This Japanese Industrial Standard specifies the methods for exposing non-metallic materials to natural weathering conditions, including carbon arc exposure.

JIS D0205: "Testing Methods for Plastics for Automobiles"

JIS D0205 covers testing methods for plastics used in automobiles, including exposure to carbon arc lamps as one of the test procedures.

These standards provide guidance and procedures for conducting carbon arc testing to evaluate the performance and durability of various materials, particularly plastics, under simulated weathering conditions.

How Did Carbon Arc Lamp Work?

A carbon arc lamp is a type of electric lamp that produces light by creating an arc of electric current between two carbon electrodes. The lamp consists of a pair of carbon rods or electrodes that are placed in close proximity to each other but not touching. When a high voltage is applied across the electrodes, a powerful electric current flows between them, creating an intense arc of light.

The operation of a carbon arc lamp involves several steps. First, the electrodes are brought close together, and then the electric current is initiated. As the current flows, it encounters resistance in the small gap between the carbon electrodes, causing the air or gas in the gap to become ionized. This ionization process transforms the air or gas into a conductive plasma, allowing the current to flow steadily.

As the current passes through the plasma, it heats the carbon electrodes to extremely high temperatures. The carbon electrodes vaporize and emit light as a result of the heat. The emitted light is typically bright and intense, with a color temperature similar to natural daylight.

Carbon arc lamps were widely used in the early days of electric lighting due to their high brightness and efficiency. However, they have largely been replaced by more modern and efficient lighting technologies such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Despite their decreased usage, carbon arc lamps still find applications in certain industries, such as movie projectors, searchlights, and some specialized lighting and welding applications where high-intensity light is required.