The testers’ optical filters last indefinitely under normal use, unlike many competitive chambers. Xenon arc lamps are long-lasting and inexpensive.
Q-SUN testers are the simplest, most reliable, and easiest-to-use xenon arc chambers available
Q-SUN® Xe 3
Xenon Arc Chamber Flat Array
The Q-SUN Xe-3 xenon arc test chamber reproduces the damage caused by full-spectrum sunlight, heat, and rain. In a few days or weeks, it can reproduce the damage that occurs over months or years outdoors.
The Q-SUN Xe-3 tester is a full-featured weathering, lightfastness, and photostability chamber. It offers standard relative humidity control and optional spray, back spray, dual spray (for acid or soap), and chiller features.
The Xe-3 tester’s slide-out specimen tray is useful for exposing large, three-dimensional parts or components. The versatile Q-SUN Xe-3 tester is the simplest, most reliable, and easiest-to-use xenon arc tester available.
Realistic and Versatile
The Q-SUN Xe-3 tester’s xenon arc lamps provide the best match to the full spectrum of sunlight. Simultaneous control of black panel temperature, chamber air temperature, and relative humidity allows precise environmental control. Near-horizontal specimen mounting and optional front and back water spray provide the most realistic moisture simulation available in a xenon arc tester. The Xe-3 tester also is the only xenon test chamber to offer a dual spray option, allowing a second liquid (such as acid rain) to be sprayed onto test specimens. An optional chiller is also available for low-temperature applications.
Easy To Use
The Q SUN Xe 3 xenon test chamber is easy to install, easy to use, and easy to maintain. Specimen mounting and evaluation is fast and easy with the unique slide-out specimen tray. The Q-SUN Xe-3 tester is completely automated and can operate continuously, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Other features include:
- Remarkably simple user interface in 17 user-selectable languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Czech, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese
- Built-in Ethernet connection for data logging
- Comprehensive self-diagnostic warnings and service reminders
- Quick and easy calibration with patented AUTOCAL system
Fast Results
A product exposed outdoors to direct sunlight experiences maximum light intensity for only a few hours each day. The Q SUN Xe-3 tester can subject test specimens to the equivalent of noon summer sunlight for 24 hours a day, every day. This can highly accelerate the rate of product degradation and shorten test times.
Affordable
The Q SUN Xe 3 tester’s low purchase price, low lamp prices, and low operating costs create an attractive price-to-performance ratio.
Configurations
- Q-SUN Xe-3-HE: full-spectrum sunlight, humidity control, and dual touchscreen displays
- Q-SUN Xe-3-HSE: full-spectrum sunlight, humidity control and water spray, and dual touchscreen displays
- Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSE: full-spectrum sunlight, humidity control and dual spray, and dual touchscreen displays
- Q-SUN Xe-3-HBSE: full-spectrum sunlight, humidity control and water spray (front and back), and dual touchscreen displays
- Q-SUN Xe-3-HCE: full-spectrum sunlight, humidity control, chiller, and dual touchscreen displays
Full-Spectrum Xenon Lamps
Xenon arc lamps provide the best reproduction of full-spectrum natural sunlight. Q-Lab's lamps are air-cooled (not water-cooled), which makes them more economical, highly efficient, and very low-maintenance. Xenon lamps last for 3000 hours at normal irradiance and 1000 hours at high irradiance. The Q-SUN Xe-3 uses three lamps per machine. Visit our xenon arc lamps page for more information.
Optical Filters
The Q-SUN Xe-3 model’s optical filters are designed to produce the spectra specified in many global weathering and lightfastness test standards. These standards apply to a variety of industries for outdoor applications, as well as interior applications where sunlight may enter through a window. The performance of Q-Lab's filters does not decline with age; therefore, filters do not need to be replaced under normal operation. The only exception to this is the Window-IR filter, which requires regular replacement. All Q-SUN Xe-3 models use three optical filters per machine. See A Choice of Filters for Q-SUN.
Temperature Monitoring & Control
Control of temperature is important because it influences the rate of degradation. Specimen exposure temperature is precisely controlled in the Q-SUN Xe-3 tester using black panel and chamber air temperature sensors. The temperature can be set at any point between 42 °C and 120 °C, depending upon whether the black panel sensor is insulated or uninsulated, as well as irradiance level, filter type, lamp age, and ambient room temperature. Low-temperature test conditions can be achieved using an optional chiller. See the Q-SUN Specification Bulletin for more information.
Versatile Specimen Mounting
The flat specimen mounting tray in the Xe-3 accommodates different shapes and sizes of specimens, including three-dimensional parts. A variety of specimen holders are available. The Xe-3 mounting tray is 451 × 718 mm (17.8 × 28.3 in) and holds up to 55 specimens @ 51 × 102 mm (2 × 4 in) each. See the Q-SUN Specimen Mounting Bulletin or the Accessories Tab for more information.
SOLAR EYE Irradiance Control
The SOLAR EYE irradiance control system constantly monitors and controls lamp output. This assures precise light exposure and maximizes reproducibility of test results. Irradiance control is available at 340 nm, 420 nm, or TUV (Total UV, 300-400 nm). See the Q-SUN Brochure for more information.
Humidity Control
Relative humidity (RH) control is standard in the Q-SUN Xe-3 tester. It allows the user to simultaneously control and display RH, black panel temperature, and chamber air temperature. Note that purified water is required for proper operation of the RH system in the Xe-3 tester. See Q-SUN Specification Bulletin.
Optional Water Spray (Xe-3-HSE, Xe-3-HDSE, Xe-3-HBSE, and Xe-3-HSCE)
Outdoor moisture attack is simulated via optional pure water spray in the Xe-3 tester. Two spray nozzles located in the top of the chamber can be programmed to operate during either the dark or light cycle. Note that purified water is required for proper operation of the Xe-3 with water spray. See The Importance of Water Purification for more information.
Optional Back Spray (Xe-3-HBSE)
Back spray is available for the Xe-3 tester and is required by some SAE test methods; it allows water to be sprayed on both the front and back of specimens simultaneously. Note that purified water is required for proper operation of the Xe-3 with back spray. See The Importance of Water Purification for more information.
Optional Dual Spray (Xe-3-HDSE)
Dual spray is available for the Xe-3 tester. It allows a second liquid solution, such as acid rain or soap solution, to be sprayed onto test specimens. A large external reservoir, centrifugal pump, and filter are attached to a portable cart that sits next to the Xe-3 tester. See our Technical Bulletin Acid Etch for Automotive Testing, or our two-part series on Acid Etch testing.
Optional Chiller for Low Temperature Applications (Xe-3-HSCE)
For some interior products such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, lower exposure temperatures are necessary to prevent unnatural degradation. An optional chiller is available for the Xe-3 tester to reduce temperatures when testing such heat-sensitive materials for tests like the ICH Guidelines protocol. With a chiller, a Q-SUN Xe-3 tester can operate at black panel temperatures as low as 31 °C at 50% RH, depending upon sensor type, irradiance level, filter type, lamp age, and ambient room temperature, and humidity. The Xe-3 chiller is designed to stand alongside the full-sized Xe-3 tester, and is provided with wheels for easy repositioning.
Software & Operations
The Q-SUN Xe-3 tester’s displays are designed to be both functional and easy-to-use. Q-SUN testers feature dual, full-color touchscreen displays and can be programmed in 17 user-selectable languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Czech, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese). This system includes complete self-diagnostic error checking, constantly monitoring the status and performance of all systems. It also displays tester error messages and routine service reminders as needed. The multicolor LED status indicator light updates users on the tester’s operational state at a glance.
An external USB port on every Q-SUN Xe-3 tester allows users to perform software upgrades quickly to address key performance issues. For quality systems that require documented proof of test conditions, this USB port can also be used to download tester performance history with Q-Lab's VIRTUAL STRIPCHART application. Data from the USB export can be emailed directly to Q-Lab's technical support desk for expert troubleshooting and diagnostics.
