The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE Rotating Rack Xenon Arc Test Chamber with RH and Front/Back Water Spray is a full-size xenon arc weathering and lightfastness tester for laboratories that require controlled full-spectrum light, temperature, relative humidity and water spray exposure on both sides of the specimen. The Xe-2-HBSE model uses one 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamp, a rotating-rack specimen holder, SOLAR EYE irradiance control and Model E dual touchscreen operation. It is designed for technical buyers testing textiles, automotive materials, coatings, plastics, packaging, printed materials and other products where exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture and controlled spray cycles must be simulated under repeatable laboratory conditions. For laboratories comparing Q-SUN Xe-2 configurations, the Xe-2-HBSE is the most moisture-capable Xe-2 option, adding front and back water spray to the humidity-controlled rotating-rack platform.
Test Standards Supported
The Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE supports xenon arc weathering and lightfastness methods that require irradiance, temperature, humidity and water spray capability. Because this model includes front and back spray, it is better aligned than the Xe-2-HE or Xe-2-HSE for test cycles where water exposure is required on both sides of vertically mounted specimens.
- ASTM G151, exposure of non-metallic materials in accelerated test devices using laboratory light sources.
- ASTM G155, xenon arc exposure of non-metallic materials.
- ISO 4892-2, plastics exposed to laboratory xenon arc light sources.
- ISO 16474-2, paints and varnishes exposed to laboratory xenon arc light sources.
- ASTM D2565, xenon arc exposure of plastics intended for outdoor applications.
- ASTM D4459, xenon arc exposure of plastics for indoor applications.
- ASTM D6695, xenon arc exposure of paints and related coatings.
- ASTM D7869, xenon arc exposure of automotive coatings, subject to cycle requirements.
- SAE J2412, accelerated exposure of automotive interior trim components.
- SAE J2527, accelerated exposure of automotive exterior materials.
- AATCC TM16 and AATCC TM169, textile lightfastness and weather resistance methods.
- ISO 105-B02, ISO 105-B04, ISO 105-B06 and ISO 105-B10, textile colour fastness and automotive textile exposure methods.
- GB/T 16422.2 and JIS K 7350-2, xenon arc methods for plastics and related materials.
- ICH Guideline Q1B, photostability workflows where the selected test conditions match the Xe-2-HBSE configuration.
Configuration Notes
- This Xe-2-HBSE model includes relative humidity control and simultaneous BP or IBP plus chamber air temperature control.
- This model includes front water spray and back water spray, allowing water to be sprayed on both sides of vertically mounted specimens.
- This model is more capable than Xe-2-HE for moisture-driven methods because Xe-2-HE does not include water spray.
- This model is more capable than Xe-2-HSE where back spray is required, because Xe-2-HSE provides front spray only.
- This model does not include a chiller. The Xe-2 configurations in LX-5046 are not listed as chiller models.
- Method suitability depends on the selected optical filter, irradiance control point, temperature setpoint, humidity setpoint and spray requirement.
Key Features
- Rotating-rack Xe-2 chamber design for uniform exposure of specimens around a central xenon arc lamp.
- One 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamp for realistic simulation of sunlight across ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelengths.
- Relative humidity control from 20-95% for weathering cycles that require humidity exposure.
- Front and back water spray capability for methods requiring direct moisture exposure on both sides of the specimen.
- Simultaneous chamber air temperature and black panel or insulated black panel temperature control.
- SOLAR EYE irradiance control with selectable 340 nm, 420 nm or TUV control points.
- Model E feature set with dual touchscreen displays and improved irradiance/lamp efficiency.
- AUTOCAL UC20 calibration compatibility for irradiance control and black panel thermometer calibration.
- 100% air-cooled design for simpler maintenance compared with water-cooled xenon lamp systems.
- Durable Xe-2 optical filter lantern system using an outer borosilicate or quartz cylinder and 14 inner filters.
Performance Specifications
- Chamber type: rotating-rack xenon arc weathering test chamber.
- Light source: 1 x 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamp.
- Specimen capacity: 31 specimens at 45 x 132 mm.
- Specimen area: 30 x 25 cm, height x diameter.
- Specimen orientation: 90° measured from horizontal.
- Maximum evenly distributed specimen weight: 4.5 kg.
- Black panel temperature range: 50-100 °C in light, 35-85 °C with IR filter and 25-45 °C in dark.
- Insulated black panel temperature range: 55-105 °C in light, 40-90 °C with IR filter and 25-45 °C in dark.
- Chamber air temperature range: 35-65 °C in light and 25-45 °C in dark.
- Relative humidity range: 20-95%.
- Water consumed with front and back spray on: 1.0 L/min.
- Humidifier water consumption: 8 L/day, with actual use dependent on test and laboratory conditions.
- External dimensions: 91 x 166 x 69 cm.
- Weight: 172 kg.
- Electrical requirements: 208 V 1-phase at 24 A or 230 V 1-phase at 23 A, 50/60 Hz.
Specimen Capacity and Configuration
The Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE uses a rotating-rack exposure system with a 30 x 25 cm specimen area and capacity for 31 specimens at 45 x 132 mm. The rotating-rack geometry positions specimens vertically at 90° measured from horizontal, which is particularly useful for textile, automotive trim, coated panels and other specimen types where consistent exposure around the rack is required. The Xe-2 specimen capacity listed by Q-Lab is shown with specimen holders, which is important when comparing the model against Xe-1 and Xe-3 chambers.
The main configuration advantage of the Xe-2-HBSE is the ability to apply water spray to both the front and back of specimens. This is valuable for methods where one-sided front spray is not sufficient, or where a test method specifically requires back spray exposure. For laboratories working with textiles, automotive materials, coated flexible substrates or mounted specimens where moisture access to both sides affects degradation behaviour, this model provides a more complete moisture simulation than the Xe-2-HE or Xe-2-HSE configurations.
Operating Specifications
The Xe-2-HBSE requires high-purity water because it includes spray. Q-Lab lists the water requirement for S or W models as inlet pressure of 2.1-6.2 bar, resistivity greater than 5 MΩ.cm, conductivity less than 0.2 μS/cm, total dissolved solids less than 0.1 ppm and colloidal silica less than 0.1 ppm. Q-Lab also recommends maintaining pH 6-8 for best performance. These water purity requirements are important because poor water quality can cause spotting, nozzle issues and unreliable exposure conditions.
For facility planning, the Xe-2-HBSE external dimensions are 91 x 166 x 69 cm, with a listed weight of 172 kg. The electrical requirement is 208 V 1-phase at 24 A or 230 V 1-phase at 23 A, with voltage tolerance of plus or minus 10% and 50/60 Hz operation. Q-Lab’s recommended laboratory ambient condition is 23 ± 5 °C and 50 ± 25% relative humidity, and the chamber should not be operated in laboratory ambient conditions above 36 °C or above 80% RH.
Why Choose the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE?
The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE is the correct Xe-2 choice when a laboratory needs rotating-rack xenon arc exposure with humidity control and water spray on both the front and back of the specimen. Compared with the Xe-2-HE, it adds direct water spray. Compared with the Xe-2-HSE, it adds back spray for more demanding moisture exposure requirements. This makes it a strong option for test programmes where moisture distribution is central to the degradation mechanism or where the selected SAE, textile, automotive or coating method requires more than front-side spray.
For technical buyers, the main commercial value is capability alignment. The Xe-2-HBSE combines full-spectrum xenon exposure, SOLAR EYE irradiance control, controlled RH, BP or IBP plus CAT control, front and back water spray, AUTOCAL calibration support and simple touchscreen operation in one rotating-rack chamber. This supports repeatable, documented weathering and lightfastness testing for quality control, R and D screening, supplier comparison, formulation validation and customer specification work.
John Morris Group supplies Q-Lab capital test equipment across Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Pacific Islands, supporting customers with model selection, facility planning, calibration workflow, installation considerations and after-sales support. Contact John Morris Group for a quote on the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HBSE Rotating Rack Xenon Arc Test Chamber with RH and Front/Back Water Spray, including confirmation of the correct optical filters, specimen holders, calibration accessories, water purification and installation requirements for your test programme.
