Sofia Martinez
PET plastic is highly sensitive to UV light, which can cause discolouration and degradation. This is a particular concern for products designed for outdoor use, such as patio furniture, playground equipment, and skincare packaging. To prevent UV damage, manufacturers can use UV-resistant plastics, such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). These materials offer clarity, toughness, and impact resistance while being able to withstand UV radiation. Alternatively, products can be coated or wrapped with a UV-resistant layer for protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PET plastic | Sensitive to UV light, especially under high humidity, elevated temperatures, and in the presence of oxygen |
| UV-resistant plastics | Acrylic, Polycarbonate, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) |
| Acrylic | Optical clarity, scratch resistance, rigid, brittle, commonly used for outdoor signage, retail displays, light fixtures, decorative panels, reflectors, and colored lenses |
| Polycarbonate | Impact-resistant, clear, tolerant of temperature extremes, commonly used for safety goggles, shields, helmets, windows, containers |
| HDPE | Tough, tear-proof, acid-resistant, alcohol-resistant, alkaline-resistant, high melting point (259°F-267°F), commonly used for outdoor furniture, children's playground equipment, bottles, containers |
| PEI | Strong, heat-resistant, tensile strength, chemical stability, transparent or translucent, commonly used in automotive, industrial, electrical, and medical applications |
| PPS | Flame-resistant, heat-resistant, brittle, blends easily with fibers and fillers, commonly used in automotive parts, aerospace components, industrial pumps, electrical components, medical equipment |
| Other methods for UV protection | Glass, fiber, or metal fill; mechanical means such as UV-resistant coatings |
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What You'll Learn
Using UV-resistant coatings
PETE plastic is vulnerable to UV radiation from the sun and artificial sources such as fluorescent lighting. This can cause discolouration and weakening of the material. To prevent this, you can use UV-resistant coatings, which are available as sprays or liquid coatings.
One option is GenPeel 1174, a spray-on UV protection coating that can be applied directly over PETE plastic. It dries to form a tough, resilient, and temporary protective layer that is also water-resistant. To apply, first ensure the surface is clean and free of dirt, oil, and other contaminants. Spray a minimum of 10-12 mils of the product and let it cure for 24 hours. Note that temperature and humidity will affect drying time.
Another option is to use a UV-resistant liquid coating, which can be applied by roller or brush. These coatings work by absorbing and deflecting UV rays, preventing photodegradation reactions, and prolonging the usable lifespan of plastics used in outdoor applications.
When choosing a UV-resistant coating, consider the specific needs of your application. For example, if you require optical clarity, acrylic is a good option as it is transparent and scratch-resistant. If your application involves high temperatures or heavy impacts, consider polycarbonate, which has excellent impact resistance and can withstand temperature extremes.
It is important to note that UV-resistant coatings may not provide complete protection against UV radiation. Combining UV-resistant coatings with other UV-protection measures, such as using UV-absorbing additives or avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, can help maximize the protection of your PETE plastic.
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Acrylic as a UV-resistant alternative
Acrylic is one of the most common plastics used in outdoor applications due to its inherent UV-resistant properties. It is a transparent plastic that exhibits good scratch resistance and optical clarity. Acrylic suffers as little as 3% degradation over a 10-year period when exposed outdoors. This makes it a popular choice for long-term use in outdoor signage, retail displays, light fixtures, decorative panels, reflectors, and coloured lenses.
However, it is important to note that acrylic is not very strong. Its rigidity and brittleness make it unsuitable for applications involving high pressure or heavy impacts. For instance, it is not typically used for load-bearing parts or components requiring long-term durability.
Despite this drawback, acrylic can be a worthwhile investment for certain applications due to its UV resistance. To enhance its UV-resistant properties, acrylic is often combined with benzotriazoles, a type of UV absorber. Benzotriazoles have a low colour influence and help maintain transparency.
Compared to other UV-resistant plastics, acrylic offers advantages in terms of clarity and transparency. For instance, polycarbonate, a more durable alternative, exhibits comparable optical properties but is tougher and more tolerant of temperature extremes. This makes polycarbonate ideal for heavy-duty applications such as safety equipment and containers.
In summary, while acrylic may not be suitable for all applications due to its limited strength, its inherent UV resistance, transparency, and scratch resistance make it a popular choice for specific outdoor and long-term use scenarios.
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Polycarbonate as a durable option
Polycarbonate is a strong, tough, and remarkably durable plastic that is used across various industries. It is a thermoplastic polymer that can be easily worked, moulded, and thermoformed. It is also highly impact-resistant, lightweight, and optically transparent. These qualities make it perfect for heavy-duty products, such as safety goggles, shields, helmets, windows, and containers. It is also used in the automotive industry for headlamp lenses and decorative bezels due to its low weight, impact resistance, and smooth surface.
Polycarbonate is a popular material for safety equipment because of its excellent impact resistance and transparency. It is used in eyewear lenses, optical lenses, and camera lenses due to its optical clarity and lightweight nature. In addition, polycarbonate can be laminated to create bullet-proof "glass", making it a common material for riot shields and bullet-resistant windows.
Polycarbonate is also used in the medical field for medical equipment and injection moulding. Its strength and durability make it ideal for medical applications that require repetitive pressure and extreme temperatures. Furthermore, polycarbonate is a sustainable material as it can be easily recycled by heating and moulding it into new shapes.
While polycarbonate is a durable option, it has some limitations. For instance, it is susceptible to ultraviolet degradation (yellowing) and has low scratch resistance. Standard polycarbonate resins are not suitable for long-term exposure to UV radiation. However, UV-stabilized polycarbonate grades are available, which can be sold to injection moulding and extrusion companies. Additionally, polycarbonate may not be suitable for direct food contact due to concerns about the potential leaching of bisphenol A (BPA). Nevertheless, BPA-free polycarbonate options are available, making it a versatile and reliable material for various applications.
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Polyetherimide for industrial use
Polyetherimide (PEI) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic that boasts an impressive combination of properties, including high heat resistance, stiffness, impact strength, transparency, tensile strength, high mechanical strength, good electrical properties, high flame resistance, low smoke generation, and broad chemical resistance. Notably, it can withstand continuous use at elevated temperatures while maintaining stable electrical properties.
Owing to its exceptional characteristics, polyetherimide is widely used in industrial applications. In the electronics industry, for instance, it is employed in components requiring high electrical insulation and stability at elevated temperatures, such as printed circuit boards. Its high heat resistance and dimensional stability make it ideal for use in internal components of microwave ovens, electrical and electronic products, and automotive, appliance, aerospace, and transportation applications.
Polyetherimide is also used in the manufacture of industrial machinery, including gears, seals, and bearings that must withstand harsh conditions and high wear. Its excellent mechanical strength and rigidity across a wide temperature range make it well-suited for these applications. Additionally, its strong chemical resistance against common solvents and automotive fluids is advantageous in industrial machinery.
In the medical field, polyetherimide is used in surgical probes, pharmaceutical process equipment manifolds, and medical devices. Its high strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability make it a suitable material for applications requiring steam sterilisation or exposure to various chemicals. Furthermore, polyetherimide's transparency or translucency can be beneficial for certain medical applications.
Polyetherimide's versatility is further demonstrated by its use in the aerospace industry, where it is used in aerospace engine components and aircraft parts. Its high strength, heat resistance, and flame retardancy are crucial for these applications. Overall, polyetherimide's unique combination of properties makes it a preferred material in demanding applications across various industries.
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Polyphenylene Sulfide for flame and heat resistance
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) is a highly useful UV-resistant plastic with exceptional flame-retardant and heat-resistant properties. It is an organic polymer with a simple chemical structure derived from benzene and sulfur. PPS has a high melting point of approximately 280°C, excellent chemical resistance, and is self-extinguishing, making it inherently flame-resistant.
The history of PPS can be traced back to 1888 when its existence was first discovered by Friedel and Crafts. However, it wasn't until the late 1940s that PPS was recognized as an engineering polymer with significant commercial potential. Over time, the mechanical and processing properties of PPS were improved by increasing its molecular weight through thermal cross-linking reactions in the presence of oxygen.
PPS has found widespread application in various industries due to its unique properties. It is commonly used in automotive parts, aerospace components, industrial pumps, electrical components, and medical equipment. PPS is also the material of choice for filter fabric in coal boilers, papermaking felts, electrical insulation, film capacitors, specialty membranes, gaskets, and packings.
One of the key advantages of PPS is its ability to resist chemical and thermal degradation. This makes it ideal for high-temperature applications and provides excellent dimensional stability. Additionally, PPS exhibits good mechanical strength and can be molded, extruded, or machined to tight tolerances. It blends easily with fibers and other fillers to enhance its toughness, making it a versatile material for a range of applications.
While PPS has many desirable characteristics, it is important to note that in its pure form, it can be brittle. However, this limitation can be mitigated by blending it with other materials. PPS is available in various colors, typically ranging from opaque white to light tan. With its high-performance capabilities and versatility across industries, PPS has become a preferred alternative to metals and thermosets in many applications.
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Frequently asked questions
PET, or PETE, stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a type of plastic that is sensitive to UV light.
UV light can cause PET plastic to degrade and turn yellow. This process is called photodegradation and can also reduce tensile strength, making the plastic brittle and prone to cracking.
There are a few ways to protect PET plastic from UV light. One way is to add UV-absorbing additives to the plastic during production. Additionally, you can apply a UV-resistant coating to the plastic or cover it with a material that blocks UV light, such as glass, fiber, or metal.
Yes, there are several UV-resistant plastic alternatives, including acrylic, polycarbonate, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyetherimide (PEI), and Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS). These plastics are commonly used in outdoor applications and offer various benefits, such as impact resistance, optical clarity, and heat resistance.
UV-resistant plastics can extend the lifespan of products exposed to sunlight or artificial UV light sources. By preventing photodegradation, these plastics maintain their strength and durability, reducing the risk of cracking or deformation. This is particularly important for outdoor equipment, skincare packaging, and applications where UV protection is necessary to preserve the integrity of the product.
