Visual Evaluations
Our staff members at our facilities in Florida, Arizona and Germany are actively involved in standards organizations and are extremely familiar with evaluation techniques and reporting scales. Visual evaluation reports detail all defects observed, including cracking, blistering, peeling, chalking, adhesion, color change, and corrosion. All visual ratings are made under standard lighting conditions to provide accurate, repeatable results following international evaluation standards from ASTM, ISO, and others.
Color and Gloss Measurements
Instrumental measurements of appearance and surface characteristics include color, gloss, and distinctness of image. These evaluations complement visual ratings. Electro-optical measurements are required by many standards, and provide the data from which statistical calculations can be made.
Mechanical Tests
Mechanical tests on physical properties are necessary to assess the durability of many products and materials. This includes testing for hardness, mechanical strength, impact, and adhesion.
Special Services
A complete test program often includes other special services or handling. Common services include washing, polishing, scribing, and specimen weighing. Q-Lab can also visually record weathering and lightfastness changes through digital photography. Contact Q-Lab to find out how we can help with your testing and evaluation program.
Frequency and Reporting
Evaluations and measurements can be scheduled according to any timeframe. The property of interest is measured or rated prior to exposure, followed by evaluations performed at defined intervals to quantify the progress of the test specimens. Reports are used to chart the time/degradation progress in both hard copy and electronic data formats.
A technician is shown here verifying proper illumination levels before performing a visual inspection
Visual inspections are one of many cost-effective evaluations that can be performed at Q-Lab Florida and Q-Lab Deutschland.
Prior to taking gloss and color readings, these specimens are washed in a mild soap solution to remove dirt and grime.
Impact and many other mechanical tests can be performed on your specimens in our Florida lab.
A technician is scribing a painted specimen in preparation for corrosion testing.
Gloss measurements being taken on a series of Q-PANEL standard substrates. Note the Q-shaped hole.