What is a UV Stabilizer?

   UV stabilizers protect a surface through arresting the photodegradation process. Hindered amine light stabilizers, or HALS, are a type of light stabilizer. Unlike UV absorbers that take in the ultraviolet light and keep it from reaching the plastic, HALS have a distinct operation that involves free radicals and chemical reactions.

   When light hits a surface, it sends energy to the atoms in the plastic. These atoms absorb the energy, which excites their components. The UV light also activates the HALS to create nitroxide . This substance takes in alkyl radicals the excited atomic particles produce. The alkyl reacts with the nitroxide to form amino ethers. These ethers then find peroxyl radicals in the material. The amino ethers destroy the peroxyl radicals, and the products of the reaction regenerate the HALS nitroxides. Without neutralizing these alkyl and peroxyl radicals, the material would experience damage through oxidation.

   In layman's terms, HALS work by producing products that look for and "eat" the free radicals released from the material. Without the free radicals, the material does not wear down from photooxidation. After consuming the free radicals, the resulting products produce the components needed by the HALS to work again. By re

generating, these light stabilizers can stop UV damage innumerable times, ensuring their long-term effectiveness.

   Because these light stabilizers regenerate themselves, they have extremely long lives in addition to extended efficiency. With the addition of HALS, artificial turf can remain bright and green for a decade or longer. Even low concentrations of these light stabilizers prove effective at keeping the material protected from photodegradation and thermal wear.

   HALS do have limitations, however. These light stabilizers do not work well with any polymers containing halogen, such as PVC. Combining them with other additives such as UV absorbers can help improve the performance of HALS in polymers they do not have ideal use with.

Why do manufacturers use UV stabilizers?

   Though limited by the types of polymers they work with, UV stabilizers have greater efficiency in protecting materials from ultraviolet damage. Stabilizers also have the benefit of protecting against thermal damage, something absorbers and quenchers don't do. When a project also needs protection from the heat, HALS offer dual heat and light damage resistance. Interestingly, predictions put HALS as the type of UV additive most likely to be the most popular and grow the most from 2016 through 2021 . The multiple applications for HALS, in addition to a growing market for plastics, make this prediction a high likelihood.

   When thin products require ultraviolet protection, HALS work better than UV absorbers. This product also has a wide-ranging versatility. Its myriad of molecular weights allows it to have an application in coatings and plastics. Polypropylene and many other polymers can use HALS during their production, including at the stages of sheet or profile extrusion and blow or injection molding.

   Because thickness does not affect the performance of HALS, the percentages used and depth of the product do not need to have large measures. Whereas UV absorbers function best when they can have a thicker layer or higher concentration to improve protection, HALS work well even with lower concentrations. For applications on thin polymer layers or when the longevity of UV protection is imperative, stabilizers such as HALS are a better choice when working with compatible polymers. 

How UV additives work?

    The reaction of sunlight with the coloring of a material causes a fading of the shades. This color reduction occurs over time through a reaction between the UV rays and the atoms of the coloring. When ultraviolet light hits a colorant, the electrons get excited. These excited electrons are more volatile and prone to oxidizing, eventually causing the coloring to fade.

   Additives include anything added to the polymer to prevent the speed and degree of this damage. UV stabilizers, quenchers, and absorbers are among those in this category of additives. Some of these prevent UV light from reaching the coloring, while others jump into the middle of the process to stop it before it leads to long-term wear and fading.

Note: the above graphic content source network

Disclaimer  The news information released by our website platform is only provided as knowledge, and is only for the reference and exchange of industry insiders, and does not guarantee its accuracy and completeness. 

You should not use this as a substitute for your own independent judgment and therefore any information is at your own risk and has nothing to do with us. I

f there is infringement, please contact us to delete!