Q-Trac Natural Sunlight Concentrator - Q-LAB - #1

In the early 1900s, researchers began to assess the weatherability of materials by exposing specimens outdoors on vertical, south-facing racks. By 1908, members of ASTM Committee D-1 and the Paint Manufacturer's Association began outdoor paint exposures in Atlantic City, New Jersey. To shorten test times, a 45 degree south-facing rack was developed to allow more sunlight to fall onto the specimens. The 45 degree rack was the first accelerated outdoor weathering method. Over the years accelerated outdoor weathering continued to evolve. By the 1930s a basic, single-axis, follow-the-sun rack was developed to track the sun from morning until night. It was first commercialized in the 1950s. Mirrors were added to the device in the 1960s to concentrate sunlight onto specimens for even greater acceleration.

The Q-Trac Natural Sunlight Concentrator is an advanced, dual-axis accelerated natural weathering tester. It is an outdoor exposure device that automatically tracks the sun from morning to night and adjusts to compensate for seasonal changes in the sun's altitude. At the same time, the Q-Trac's mirrors reflect and concentrate full-spectrum natural sunlight onto test specimens. This follow-the-sun solar concentrating system increases the amount of sunlight exposure specimens receive.

The Q-Trac is the most effective outdoor acceleration method available and it allows product evaluation in a reduced time period. Furthermore, compared to accelerated laboratory testers, there are fewer concerns over whether the simulated light matches sunlight, because the Q-Trac's light source is natural sunlight.

Although the Q-Trac is only operated in Arizona, it can be used to realistically simulate a number of end-use service environments. For example, South Florida conditions can be simulated with the addition of ultra-pure water spray. The quick, realistic and reproducible results of the Q-Trac make it an attractive testing option for many material types and end-use applications.