Q-Lab offers a new method of performing accelerated weathering Tel: +44 1204 861616 Email: jrobinson@q-lab.com tests on coatings that promises better and faster laboratory results Web: www.q-lab.com 523 ONLINE READER ENQUIRY NUMBER
At the end of the 20th photodegradation. Recognizing moisture uptake of coatings
century, accelerated that this approach stymied in the outdoor environment. weathering test innovation, a few OEMs and The next phase of innovation standards for automotive coatings suppliers, led by came from a group representing coatings were dominated by Chrysler, created a new the transportation coatings methods specifying the use performance-based approach industry during a decade-long of a particular xenon test that reinvigorated the world series of studies to improve the chamber configuration. These of xenon arc weathering correlation between accelerated methods were typically testing, formalized through weathering test methods effective in anticipating only the publication of SAE and real-world performance. certain modes of degradation standards J2412 and The goal of this effort was mainly gloss loss over a J2527. to accurately anticipate the narrow range of materials. These first performance- multiple failure modes seen However, these methods based standards bridged in outdoor tests in south were proved insufficient when the gap between the old Florida, a particularly harsh applied to materials outside and new eras. Test cycles environment. After many their original scope of remained unchanged, and years of experimentation and research (in other words, most results were expected to be comparisons of the failure materials) or when examining similar to tests run under the mechanisms that occurred in other modes of failure. old standards. Consequently, natural and accelerated tests, a Exacerbating this problem many of the flaws from the new test method emerged that was the fact that these old tests existed in the newer greatly improved correlation, hardware-based standards methods. The importance of 1998, Q-Lab Corporation while increasing acceleration forced the industry into using these new standards, however, became the first company compared with the old only certain test chambers even was that industry was now free to offer a device designed methods. if they lacked characteristics to explore alternative methods specifically for this new era The culmination of this important for accurate of performing xenon arc tests. in weathering testing. The work is a proposed ASTM reproduction of After introducing its first Q-SUN Xe-3 was the first flat test method from technical environmentally induced xenon arc test chambers in array xenon arc tester with committee D01.27, Paints and relative humidity control and Coatings. The draft method a large capacity. recently cleared its first hurdle An early success with this to acceptance as a new ASTM new approach was the standard after a successful publication of ASTM D7356, technical subcommittee ballot. Standard Test Method for The ASTM chairman for this Accelerated Acid Etch Weathering committee, Doug Grossman, of Automotive Clearcoats Using president of Q-Lab a Xenon-Arc Exposure Device. Corporation, commented, Based on research performed This is a unique procedure, by BASF and Q-Lab, this unlike anything currently in test reproduced the acid use for automotive paints. It etch of automotive clearcoats produces results that correlate associated with a summer much better with outdoor of exposure in the acid rain service than other tests environment of Jacksonville, currently in use. It is the Florida. One of the key lessons most thoroughly researched MAIN: 2006 Q-SUN Xe-3 xenon test chamber applied to subsequent work weathering test procedure ABOVE: Cross-section of a rotating rack chamber was how to characterize ever developed.
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