Florida outdoor exposure testing

Elastocon mediates Q-Lab's services for outdoor exposure testing of materials and products in Florida. Q-Lab Florida has more specimens on test than any other outdoor weathering facility in the world.

Q-Lab Florida is located south of Miami on the southern tip of Florida, in the only true subtropical region in the continental United States. Q-Lab offers natural outdoor exposure testing, accelerated laboratory testing and specimen evaluation services at Q-Lab Florida. These contract test services are ISO 17025 accredited.

Why Florida?

Florida is the internationally recognized benchmark location for outdoor exposure testing. Florida subtropical weathering exposures are not only realistic, they are also accelerated. One year of Florida sunshine can equate to several years of weathering elsewhere. Our Florida site has high-intensity sunlight, high annual UV, high year round temperatures, abundant rainfall and very high humidity.

It is this synergistic effect of UV, moisture and heat that makes Miami the ideal location for testing durability of materials in outdoor environments.

The extremely sunny, humid, and warm climate has been proven especially useful for certain types of testing including:

Color change, fading, and gloss loss
Cracking, peeling, chalking, and blistering
Mechanical strength loss and physical deterioration
Moisture sensitivity of products like coatings, building materials, and some plastics
Biodegradation, including mold, mildew, fungus and algae
Accelerated corrosion testing

More information

Product leaflet: Q-Lab – Florida.pdf