Super-Fast Results from Natural Sunlight
Q-TRAC natural sunlight concentrator testing gives accelerated results like laboratory testers, but instead uses actual sunlight as the light source. It is exceptionally useful for highly durable materials with exceptionally long lifetime expectations.
The Q-TRAC system uses an array of 10 mirrors to reflect and concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto test specimens. The Q-TRAC system also automatically tracks the sun throughout the day in both azimuth (horizontally) and elevation (vertically). The combination of mirrors and tracking maximizes the amount of solar exposure that your test specimens receive.
The Q-TRAC solar concentrator also has a water spray system that can perform cycles that simulate Florida weathering, or create thermal shock. Additionally, specimens are oriented facing up during night-time wetting to give increased time of wetness and enhanced realism, compared to historical natural sunlight concentrator testing. Q-Lab also now offers temperature-controlled Q-TRAC testing for more heat-sensitive specimens.
Enhanced UV
Materials tested on the Q-TRAC solar concentrator system are exposed to much more sunlight than those on a conventional outdoor exposure rack. A test specimen mounted on the Q-TRAC tester receives an average of 5 times more UV than it would in Florida, because of the tracking and intensifying effect of the mirrors.
Applications
The Q-TRAC system is especially useful for testing durable products, including coatings, plastics and reinforced plastics, automotive materials, building materials, textiles, inks, sealants, fluoropolymers, and geosynthetics. Many correlation studies indicate that the Q-TRAC natural sunlight concentrator is particularly useful for testing coil coatings, powder coatings, automotive coatings, and even some high-temperature plastics.
Test Methods
Standardized cycles – including desert, spray, freeze/thaw, and interior (behind glass) – are available to test different materials and end-use applications. Customized exposures also may be designed.
Q‑TRAC natural sunlight concentrator testing meets a variety of weathering and corrosion test methods, including ASTM G90, ASTM D4141, ASTM D4364, SAE J1961, and ISO 877-3. Visit our Standards Page for a more complete list or click below to contact us.
Cost-Effective
The Q-TRAC solar concentrator produces real-world results in a fraction of the time of natural exposures. This means that new formulations or products can be brought to market faster, saving time and effort. Additionally, Q-TRAC testing is extremely affordable – programs start at less than the cost of a cup of coffee per day.
Natural exposure testing is an essential part of any weathering and light stability test program. Even if you perform natural sunlight concentrator testing, you should also perform conventional outdoor testing.
Industries and Applications
Learn about the broad range of industries and applications for which weathering testing is critical.
Document Library
Browse Q-Lab’s extensive library of weathering testing literature and technical content.
Standards
Review setup and performance information on key international and OEM test standards from ASTM, ISO, SAE, JIS, GB, and more.