UV resistance refers to a material's ability to prevent degradation caused by absorption of UV radiation. The sun's UV rays break down the chemical bonds in polymers, causing plastics to wear and break down over time. This condition is known as photodegradation.
Photodegradation can cause discoloration (especially yellowing). This also contributes to the loss of impact and tensile strength and makes plastics brittle. UV damage is the ability of a material to resist changes before irreversible deformation.
Depending on a product's application and other project requirements, the material must have more or less UV resistance. As expected, components for outdoor use and industrial applications often require higher UV resistance to maintain optimum quality and performance.
Different materials have varying degrees of UV resistance, but most plastics require stabilizers or additives to increase their UV resistance. Components for outdoor applications such as greenhouse films, window frames, automotive parts and stadium seats are the most sensitive to UV radiation and long-term photodegradation.
The top five UV-resistant plastic materials are: acrylic, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, and polyvinylidene fluoride. While these plastics offer varying degrees of resistance to UV radiation, the UV resistance of these materials and other plastics can be increased by adding UV resistant additives to protect the base polymer. Protective seals help limit the effects of photodegradation and even improve the appearance of the material and increase product life.
UV resistant additives include:
Blockers cover plastics with a protective layer, protecting them from UV radiation. Carbon black is a powerful, effective and very common blocker for outdoor applications, blocking about 2 percent of UV rays. Titanium dioxide, a pigment, is also an effective blocking solution.
Absorbers are usually organic compounds designed to absorb UV light and instead emit a less harmful wavelength such as heat. Unlike absorbers, stabilizers use chemical techniques to prevent polymer bonds from breaking.
Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides resistance test services against UV rays with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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