Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Plastics & Elastomers Functions
- Technologies
- Product Families
Features & Benefits
- Materials Features
- Product Highlights
Plastics materials can be susceptible to damage by the action of UV radiation. Sunlight is a powerful source of UV radiation and products such as garden furniture, heating oil tanks, and greenhouse films which are required to spend extended periods outdoors as part of their service life will need protecting against this harmful degradation.
Another feature of UV radiation is that it is not only potentially damaging to the polymer but also in packaging applications, to the contents of the packaging. UV radiation not only come from the sun, but can also come from artificial sources, like fluorescent lighting in supermarkets. This could potentially cause undesirable changes to packaged goods e.g. color change, and odor and flavor loss in foodstuffs. Adding a UV absorber will help protect the pack contents from damage by UV light.
Applications & Uses
- Applications
- Compatible Polymers & Resins
- Plastics & Elastomers End Uses
- Plastics & Elastomers Processing Methods
- Details
Wells Plastics have created a range of UV stabilizers, to protect polymeric materials, and UV absorbers to protect packaged materials from UV light degradation.
UV Stabilizers
A common class of UV stabilizers are the hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) systems. These work by interrupting the photo-degradation process before it can get destructively underway, thus protecting the polymer and extending the service life of the part. The mechanisms by which they achieve this used include “free radical scavenging” and “peroxide decomposition”.
Wells Plastics UV stabilizers are used in wide ranging areas including:
- Blow molding – Water butts, Tanks, Planters, Tubs
- Injection Molding – Garden furniture.
- Film and profile – greenhouses, pallet covers, pipes
- Fibers – nonwovens, artificial grass
UV Absorbers
Wells Plastics UV absorber masterbatches contain an active ingredient system which ‘absorbs’ UV radiation. Due to the presence of double bonds within its molecular structure, it is able to absorb light energy in the UV region and re-emit the energy in the IR region. This system prevents UV radiation from passing through the packaging material and reaching the contents inside.
UV absorbers are used in many packaging applications:
- Packaging films – pallet covers, shrink films
- Injection molded (PP, PS and PET) pots, tubs and lids.
- Blow molded HDPE bottles, jars and drums.
- Thermoformed , PP and PET trays
Wells Plastics UV stabilizer and absorber masterbatches can be custom formulated to suit specific applications or polymer types. Combination masterbatches containing both a stabilizer and an absorber are available. Please contact your Wells Plastics representative for further details.
- Applications
- Blown film
- Cast Film
- BOPP
- Sheet extrusion
- Profile Extrusion
- Blow Molding
- Injection Molding
- Nonwovens and Fiber
Properties
- Physical Form
Packaging & Availability
- Polymer Carriers Available
- PE
- PP
- PA
- PET