Comparing the Cost of ACUVEX® with Xenon-Arc
The relative speed of ACUVEX compared to Xenon-Arc weathering will vary, depending upon the material, the time of year, and the lamps and filters chosen for the xenon-arc test. In general, ACUVEX typically provides an acceleration similar to xenon-arc operated with daylight filters (borosilicate inner and outer filters). For this comparison, $0.32 per specimen per hour was used for the cost of partial machine xenon-arc testing, and $11.00 per hour was used for the cost of renting a full xenon-arc machine. Costs were computed based on using a large xenon-arc machine with a capacity of 110 specimens measuring 7 cm x 15 cm (2.75" x 5.75").
For a full machine, the costs would be ($11.00 / hour) x (24 hours / day) / (110 specimens)
= $2.40 per specimen per day
For a partial machine, the costs would be ($0.32 / specimen / hour) x (24 hours / day)
= $7.68 per specimen per day
For ACUVEX, the cost per day would be ($0.29 / lineal inch) x (2.75 inches)
= $0.80 per specimen per day
These costs are shown on the following graph:
ACUVEX may also be less expensive than xenon-arc testing, even if you
have already purchased xenon-arc equipment for your own laboratory. This is
because of the high cost of electricity, xenon-arc lamps and maintenance.
Comparing ACUVEX® To EMMAQUA® †
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† EMMAQUA® is a registered trademark of the Atlas Electric Devices Company.