What about protecting injection molded plastic Parts from UV exposure?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause plastics to fade, become brittle, crack, or lose their mechanical properties over time.
Selecting the right UV-resistant resin is important.
UV-resistant plastics are formulated with UV stabilizers, UV absorbers, and hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS). Common injection-molding materials that can be formulated for improved UV resistance include:
- ASA
- ABS
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylic
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Nylon
UV-Resistant Plastics can be found in many industries, including:
- Solar equipment
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Automotive
- Electrical & electronics
- Outdoor products
- Water systems
How Long Will UV-Resistant Plastic Last?
A UV-resistant part might perform for several years—or decades—depending on the material, formulation, and environment. Factors such as sunlight intensity, temperature, moisture, geographic location, color, part design and chemical exposure all affect service life.
For example, a part exposed to intense sunlight in the Southwest can experience significantly more UV exposure than an identical part used in a cooler, less sunny environment. The key is matching the resin and UV stabilization package to the expected service environment and service life.
At JATCO, Incorporated, we work with customers to understand the application’s environment, performance requirements, and expected service life so the appropriate material can be considered before production begins. The right resin can make the difference between a plastic part that simply works—and one that continues to perform for years.
Do you have an outdoor injection-molding application? Ask us about material selection and UV-resistant resin options. Contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales – steven.ames@jatco.com / 209-985-2329.