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UV Resistance

PolyCarbonate

UV resistance on polycarbonate formulation can be added to the resin or developed as a coating. UV stabilizers are added to polycarbonate to help protect the material from the effects of exposure to the Sun. Radiation from the Sun, especially in the UV portion of the spectrum, degrades the properties of polycarbonate.

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If you manufacture a product which contains polycarbonate and are looking  to increase the UV resistance of your  product  in order to give you a  competitive edge then contact  Advanced Polymer Solutions regarding  our patented  chemical  process we will develop a customized  formulation based upon your UV  resistance specifications.

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Once we develop and thoroughly test the  formulation it will become your property  which can be patented under your name.  APS  can  manufacture the final the formulation in the desired quantities and supply the manufacturer with a  pre-mixed, ready to use coating, additive or  adhesive. UV resistance on polycarbonate  formulation can be added to the resin or developed as a coating. 

UV stabilizers are added to polycarbonate to help protect the material from the effects of exposure to the sun, and indoor lighting. 

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Application Methods

Coatings are applied on the surface of substrates to improve the functional properties and durability. Conventional coatings need extensive surface preparation for adhesion and need to build up thickness for performance. This is not the case with APS' coating formulations. Most  APS  coatings can be applied in one step with no or minimal surface preparation. In addition, due to the chemistry of APS' chemical grafting process, thinner coatings can be used to achieve a higher degree of property  performance. Delamination  will not occur due to the chemical bond formed between the coating and the substrate with some subsurface penetration occurring through the use of molecular small and lightweight monomer.

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Typical coating methods can be used such as dip, spray, roll, flow coat, etc. APS  coatings can be formulated to be air dried, however, in the interest of time, heat or some energy source (i.e., UV or infrared lights) can be used. 

Additives  

 

APS  can develop additives to incorporate into the raw material/resin prior to extruding or molding. In this case, the new properties will penetrate the matrix of the material. APS  chemists will adjust the formulation to conform to the processing parameters used by the manufacturer. Due to the molecular bond formed by APS' process, the new properties will not migrate and leach from the material over time, even under severe condition.

 

Laminates (Adhesives) 

APS  chemists have extensive experience in bonding the same or different substrates together. Materials that are difficult to adhere to are effectively bonded with APS' process.Substrate failure will occur before adhesion failure. In addition, if two substrates with 

different coefficients of thermal expansion are bonded, an  APS  developed adhesive bonding action will not be affected. Such is not the case with conventional adhesives which cannot withstand the varying expansion and contraction of different substrates. 

UL Testing - UV Resistance Polycarbonate  

 

A material that is considered suitable for outdoor use has gone through testing in accordance with UL 746C, the  Standard for Safety of Polymeric Materials -- Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations, of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure  for 720 hours of twin-enclosed carbon or 1,000 hours of xenon-arc  weatherometer  conditioning, and/or water exposure  or immersion for the seven days at 70 degrees C. The material is tested before and after exposure to these conditions  for flammability, mechanical impact and mechanical strength. 

 

The results may lead to one of the following outcomes: 

  

(f1) -- Suitable for outdoor use with respect to exposure to ultraviolet light, water exposure and immersion in  

accordance with UL 746C. The (f1) footnote indicates that the material has met both UV and water exposure or  

immersion requirements as called out in UL 746C. 

  

(f2) -- Subjected to one or more of the following tests: UV, water exposure or immersion in accordance with UL 746C,  

where the acceptability for outdoor use is to be determined by UL.The (f2) footnote indicates that the material has only  

met or has been tested partially for UV or water exposure or immersion. 

For additional information regarding grafting UV resistance on polycabonate

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