Introducing the Atlas® UVCTest

Introducing the Atlas UVCTest, the first exposure instrument designed for UVC radiation. A safe and cost-effective solution for evaluating materials exposed to high-energy radiation from UVC sterilization devices.

Mount Prospect, IL, USA, October 5, 2020 – Atlas, the global leader in materials testing, today introduced the Atlas® UVCTest exposure instrument. Based on Atlas’ industry-standard fluorescent/UV platform, the UVCTest is specifically designed to quickly evaluate the durability of materials exposed to high-energy UVC radiation generated by increasingly popular UVC sterilization devices.

Used for over 40 years to disinfect air, water and non-porous surfaces in medical, sterile work, food, and water treatment facilities, UVC technology is increasingly being employed as a germicide across a much wider range of applications, including transportation, fitness, retail, office, healthcare and home. The result is that more materials are being exposed to energetic, short-wavelength radiation, which can degrade coatings and finishes; fade colorants; embrittle polymers, plastics and textiles; and compromise electrical components.
Filtered xenon and fluorescent sources specified in AATCC, ASTM, and ISO are designed to reproduce natural solar spectra at the Earth’s surface. (UVC radiation is absorbed in the ozone layer). Therefore, these current instruments can’t predict a material’s UVC resistance.

The UVCTest meets the challenge.
It features a specially engineered test chamber incorporating eight proprietary UVC lamps with an output that peaks at 254nm to match the typical spectrum of UVC sterilization devices. The UVCTest delivers best-in-class distribution of irradiance and temperature; advanced calibration technology and proprietary access ports to significantly reduce risk of damaging UVC exposure. Featuring simple touchscreen operation, the UVCTest is designed for “plug-and-play” operation and requires minimal maintenance.