A meteorologist is a laboratory device that simulates long-term outdoor exposure using high-powered light sources and water. It can test products under controlled conditions, including color fastness, thermal shock protection, and resistance to salt water. It is used for testing various materials, including roofing, furniture, toys, and sports equipment.
A meteorologist is a laboratory device that uses high-powered light sources and water to simulate long-term outdoor exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) light, a wavelength of sunlight not visible to the human eye, can cause long-term damage to paint, plastic and concrete finishes. Water, including rainwater and salty ocean water, can attack finishes and degrade them. The meteorologist can create ultraviolet, indoor or other light frequencies to test products under controlled conditions and include water sprays to add further environmental effects.
The test materials are formed into panels that can be placed inside the weatherman. A reference or standard is often used, which can be an uncoated specimen or a plastic with no UV protection additives. This allows different coatings or treatments to be compared to the reference after simulated long exposures, and increasing test times can simulate years of outdoor exposure.
A high-intensity bulb provides light, with several types available to simulate different light sources. Carbon arc bulbs can simulate sunlight, and xenon can be used for indoor and outdoor light frequencies. Metal halide bulbs have replaced carbon arc meteorologists since the late 20th century, as carbon arc bulbs require regular maintenance to replace the carbon electrodes in the bulb which wear out frequently.
Another effect of prolonged exposure to light is a loss of color in a material, known as color fastness. Color pigments contain organic molecules that can be attacked by sunlight or artificial light from a meteorologist. Researchers can test the stability of various colors and additives used to protect them, under controlled laboratory conditions. Maintaining color stability is important because a paint or coating is used to protect the underlying metal, wood, or concrete; damage to the color may result in eventual damage to the underlying material.
Roofing materials can also be tested in a meteorologist, both for light stability and thermal shock protection. When a hot roof is exposed to a rainstorm, the shingles or roofing will cool rapidly and will normally shrink or become smaller as they cool. This sudden change in temperature is called thermal shock and can weaken roof coverings. A laboratory test can simulate this effect to check the thermal stability and resistance of various roof coatings to different weather conditions.
Exposure to salt water can be very damaging to building and vehicle coatings, and new coatings need to be tested for durability. Many meteorologists can simulate oceanic salt spray to test marine application coatings or paints used on buildings near water. Research has shown that the effects of sunlight are often exacerbated by exposure to rain or salt water, making ongoing testing critical to these applications.
Weather testing can also be used for fabrics, coated steel and plastics used in furniture and toys. Many hotels, businesses and homes use outdoor furniture, toys and sports equipment or place them outside permanently. Lab exposure can quickly test these products for durability and color retention under varying weather conditions, without the need to leave the products outdoors for extended periods.
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