Q-LAB

Effects of Outdoor Moisture
Water is a common enemy to most materials.  It causes metals to corrode, organics to decompose, and structures to disintegrate. Condensation is water that has been distilled from impure water, mixed with the atmosphere, and saturated with oxygen.  This type of moisture has also been called “aggressive water”, because it carries oxygen with it as it contacts a material or diffuses through a coating.  Studies show that materials outdoors are exposed to an average of 12 hours per day of condensed water in the form of dew.

The QCT Condensation Tester
The QCT tester uses 100% condensing humidity to simulate and accelerate damage caused by dew on metals, paints, and organic materials.  It accelerates over natural exposures by increasing moisture temperature.

The QCT tester has an automatic dry-off system, which works by blowing heated air into the test chamber.  A combination of wet and dry periods can be programmed through the use of a 24 hour repeating timer, which is capable of splitting day into 96 increments of 15 minutes.  The QCT tester is shipped completely wired and assembled.

The QCT tester has a sample capacity of 62 Panels at 75mm x 150mm or 48 panels at 100 x 150mm.  It has a temperature range capability from room temperature to 72 degrees Celsius.

The QCT tester’s water consumption is approximately 2 liters of ordinary tap water per day.  It has an automatic water feed that connects to a supply through 6mm plastic tubing.  It has a corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum construction, with a water pan that is glass-lined with a magnesium anode for cathodic protection.

The QCT tester requires only ordinary tap water.  This is because the tap water becomes pure distilled water in the process of evaporation from the water pan and condensing onto the specimens.

The tester's innovative design utilizes room air cooling to create a temperature differential across the thickness of the specimens.  This temperature differential is a necessary element for condensation to occur.  It is important to note that the QCT tester is fundamentally different from a typical humidity tester.

Variable Exposure Cycles
The user is able to program the QCT tester to create static, 100% condensing humidity or to cycle between hot condensation and dry-off.  The temperature’s range extends from room temperature to as high as 70 degrees Celsius.  The system allows for the selection of almost any desired wet/dry exposure cycle through an automatic cyclic timer.  The cycle options range from the subtle wetness of an almost invisible dew a few degrees above room temperature, to a continuous, high-temperature, running condensate.

Freezing accelerates some failures.  For a freeze/thaw cycle, panels can be manually removed from the QCT while wet and immediately frozen, and then reinserted into the tester.

Fast and Versatile
The QCT tester can be used to:

• screen paints for blister resistance over a weekend at 55 degrees Celsius
• evaluate oil-based rust inhibitors in less than 120 hours at 38 degrees Celsius
• rate effectiveness of mill-applied oils in only a day
• test surface reactivity of cold-rolled and galvanized steel in hours
• test wood finishes for blistering, moisture and mold resistance

Easy to Use, Simple to Install
The QCT tester provides instant blister or corrosion testing - just plug it in and add water.  The unit can be placed anywhere in your office, lab, or plant.  The heat and water vapor produced by the QCT tester is about the same as that produced by one additional person in the room.  Also, the test panels on a QCT unit may be inspected as often as you want, without altering test conditions.  Just remove the panel and put a blank in its place.

Standards
The QCT tester conforms with several standards, including:

• ASTM D4585, Testing Moisture Resistance of Coatings with Controlled Condensation
• ISO 6270-1, Paints and Varnishes - Humidity (Continuous Condensation)

BS 3900, Part F9, Determination of Resistance to Humidity (Continuous Condensation)