QAC Test Paper is used to detect the strength of quaternary ammonium compounds in sanitizers. QAC Compounds exhibit microbicidal activity to most microbes at 200ppm concentration.
QAC Test Paper
QAC Test Paper
- Remove a strip of QAC test paper from the vial, being careful not to touch the strip anywhere other than where you grasp it with your fingertips.
- Dip about 1″ of test paperĀ into the solution to be tested and hold there for 90 seconds. Compare to the included color chart.
NOTE: The test strips should be kept in closed vials when not used, out of direct sunlight, at room temperature.
Precision Laboratories quat test papers and strips utilize an effect commonly referred to as the āprotein-error of indicatorsā to quantify the QAC ppm levels.Ā While first observed with proteins (thus the name), the technique utilizes pH indicators and buffering systems to create an environment where the test paper or strip reacts (develops color) proportional to the amount of analyte (QAC) present.Ā The PL quat test papers and strips have color charts calibrated to solutions prepared from OASIS 146, an industry standard quat product.Ā The performance of the papers and strips with alternate quat products should always be verified.Ā In addition, any additives should be evaluated to see if they contribute to the āprotein-errorā effect.
JD600; JG600; 600/500; 106; 106-12V-100; 106-144V-100; 106-500V-100
Product Specs
| SKU 1: | 106-12V-100 (12 vials, 100 strips/vial) |
|---|---|
| SKU 2: | 106-25V-100 (25 vials, 100 strips/vial) |
| SKU 3: | 106-144V-100 (144 vials, 100 strips/vial) |
| SKU 4: | 106-500V-100 (500 vials, 100 strips/vial) |
| Strip Quantity: | 100 strips |
| Vial Dimensions: | .75ā³ (D) x 2.75ā³ (H) [19mm (D) x 70mm (H)] |
| Strip Dimensions: | 1.875" (L) x .25" (W) [48mm (L) x 6mm (W)] |
| Box Dimensions: | 10" x 10" x 2.75" [29.8 cm x 19 cm x 7 cm] (144-pack box), 21" x 14.75" x 3" [53.3 cm x 37.5 cm x 7.6 cm] (500-pack box), 3.25" x 2.375" x 3" [8.3 cm x 6 cm x 7.6cm] (12-pack box), 5" x 3.5" x 3" [12.7 cm x 8.9 cm x 7.6 cm] (25-pack box) |
| Weight: | 0.02 lbs [9 g] (single vial) |
| Other: | Stored in a pocket-sized, lightweight vial. |
| Shelf-Life: | 2 Years |
| Label: | Customizable Label |
Product Documentation
SDS
How are the ppm levels quantified on the QAC test strips?
Precision Laboratories QAC test papers and strips utilize an effect commonly referred to as the āprotein-error of indicatorsā to quantify the QAC ppm levels. While first observed with proteins (thus the name), the technique utilizes pH indicators and buffering systems to create an environment where the test paper or strip reacts (develops color) proportional to the amount of analyte (QAC) present. The PL QAC test papers and strips have color charts calibrated to solutions prepared from OASIS 146, an industry standard QAC product. The performance of the papers and strips with alternate QAC products should always be verified. In addition, any additives should be evaluated to see if they contribute to the āprotein-errorā effect.
Do you have a 1-second QAC test strip?
Yes! Itās calledĀ QAC QR5. Dip the test paper into the solution for 1 second, and wait 5-10 seconds before comparing to the color chart.
What are the dilution instructions for Quat (QAC) solutions?
Our test strips have been calibrated for use with all the commonly used hyamine and steramine quat (quaternary ammonium chloride) solutions. Some commercially available strips have errors as high as 50%. Use this guide to test your strips.
Oasis 146
To prepare aĀ 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 0.530ml of Oasis 146 into 100ml of water.
| Active Ingredients | Conc. | Active Ingredients | Conc. |
| Alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride | 3.00% | Octyldecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride | 2.25% |
| di-n-octyl dimethyl ammonium chloride | 0.90% | di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride | 1.35% |
Ā
Hyamine 3500-80%
Prepare a stock solution by dissolving 1.25g in 100ml of water to produce a 10,000ppm solution. To prepare aĀ 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 4ml of the stock solution into 100ml of water.
| Active Ingredients |
| n-Alkyl (C14=50%, C12=40%, C16=10%) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride-80% |
Ā
Bardac 2280
Prepare a stock solution by dissolving 1.25g Bardac 2280 in 100ml of water to produce a 10,000ppm solution. To prepare aĀ 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 4ml of the stock solution into 100ml of water.
| Active Ingredients |
| Didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride-80% |
Ā
Bardac 2250
Prepare a stock solution by dissolving 2g Bardac 2250 in 100ml of water to produce a 10,000ppm solution. To prepare aĀ 400ppm QAC solution, dilute 4ml of the stock solution into 100ml of water.
| Active Ingredients |
| Didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride-50% |
Ā
Sysco QAC Tablets
To prepare aĀ 400ppm QAC solution, place 1 tablet into 2.82L (1 US Gal.) of water.
| Active Ingredients |
| Alkyl (C14=95%, C12=3%, C16=2%) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride-50% |
Does the accuracy of QAC test strips depend on the pH of the solution?
The accuracy of QAC tests strips does not depend on the pH value of solutions to be tested in the range of 1.86 ā 9.2 pH, but rather it depends on buffering capacity. When the pH of a solution to be tested is a result of acidic or alkaline compounds without buffering capacity, then the accuracy of the test is not influenced. In the case that the pH of a solution to be tested is a result of a buffer, then the measure of influence depends on the buffering capacity of the solution.
Test:
Sets of control solutions with QAC concentrations 0 ā 50 ā 100 ā 200 ā 400 ppm were prepared in following solutions:
- Hydrochloric acid /0.1 M/, pH 1.1
- Tartaric acid /0.1M/ , pH 1.86
- McIlvaine buffers (0.1M citric acid, 0.2 MĀ disodium hydrogenĀ phosphate), pH 2.2 ā 3.0 ā 4.0 ā 5.0 ā 6.0 ā 7.0 ā 8.0 ā 9.0
- Sodium tetraborate /0.01M/ , 9.20
The table below contains readings according to the regular color chart:
| Ā Ā Ā pH bufferĀ /b/ | Ā 0 ppm QAC | Ā 50 ppm QAC | Ā 100 ppm QAC | Ā 200 ppm QAC | Ā 400ppm QAC |
| Ā Ā Ā 1.1 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā ā¤50 | Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 |
| Ā Ā Ā 1.86 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 | Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 |
| Ā Ā Ā 2.2Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā 0-50 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 | Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 200 |
| Ā Ā Ā 3.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 | Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 |
| Ā Ā Ā 4.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 | Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 |
| Ā Ā Ā 5.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā ā¤ 50 | Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 | Ā Ā ā„400 |
| Ā Ā Ā 6.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 | Ā higher | Ā higher |
| Ā Ā Ā 7.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 400 | Ā Ā Ā ā„400 | Ā higher | Ā higher |
| Ā Ā Ā 8.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 | Ā Ā Ā higher | Ā higher | Ā higher |
| Ā Ā Ā 9.0Ā /b/ | Ā Ā Ā 400 | Ā Ā higher | Ā Ā Ā higher | Ā higher | Ā higher |
| Ā Ā Ā 9.2 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0 | Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 50 | Ā Ā Ā Ā 100 | Ā Ā Ā 200 | Ā Ā Ā 400 |
Does temperature affect QAC test strip results?
HigherĀ temps:
Testing was run on set of control solutions 0 ā 50 ā 100 ā 200 ā 400 ppm Hyamine 1622 (Fluka) warmed up to temperatures in the rangeĀ 35 ā 60oC.
| T (oC) | QAC strips reading in control solutions 0 ā 50 ā 100 ā 200 ā 400 ppm |
|---|---|
| 35 | reading OK in the whole concentration range |
| 40 | reading OK in the whole concentration range |
| 45 | 0 ā 50 - 100 ppm OK, 200 and 400 ppm reading cca half color square higher |
| 50 | 50 ā 100 ppm reading cca half color square higher, 200 ā 400 ppm reading 1 color square higher |
| 55 | reading 1 color square higher in the whole range |
| 60 | reading 1 color square higher in the whole range |
LowerĀ temps:
Testing was run on a set of control solutions at 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm QAC using Oasis 146 stock.
TheĀ samples were split, so that one set was kept at room temp (76F) and one set was placed into the refrigerator (38F). Ā Both the paper strips (SKU: 106) and the plastic backed test pads (SKU: QAC-400) were tested.Ā The test papers showed noĀ visual difference at any of the concentrations.Ā The plastic backed strips did not show any visual difference, with the exception of the 100 ppm standard. TheĀ refrigerated standard read slightly lower (maybe Ā¼-Ā½ a color unit, read as 50-75 ppm). The test was repeated several times and these results were confirmed.
Why am I getting a different result using your QAC test strips versus Hydrion QAC test strips?
The Hydrion QAC test strips are reddish-orange in color before use. Our QAC test strips are yellow in color before use.
Instructions for the Hydrion QAC test strips tell you to dip the strip into solution for 10 seconds and then read immediately. This 10 second development time (soaking) is important. With the 10 second wait, the color of a 200 and 400 ppm standard matches the Hydrion color chart fairly well.
If the user takes the strip out too soon the color shifts significantly lower. For example, if dipped in a 400ppm solution, the strip stays brown, which looks more like 200ppm.
Our QAC test strips have different instructions for use. The strip should beĀ dipped into solution for 1-2 seconds, then compared to the color chartĀ immediately. Again, the time is important.
If the user waits too long, the strips will turn more blue, as if itās actually beyond the 400ppm value on the color chart.
Our QAC test strips were developed to work best for multi-quats. The standards we use are from a brand called OASIS 146 which consists of:
ā¢ Alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride ā¦ā¦ 3.00%
ā¢ Octyldecyldimethyl ammonium chloride ā¦ā¦.. 2.25%
ā¢ Di-n-octyldimethyl ammonium chloride ā¦ā¦ā¦. 0.90%
ā¢ Di-n-decyldimethyl ammonium chloride ā¦ā¦.. 1.35%
Different quat formulas require adjustments to the color chart. Some even require custom charts.
