![]() ![]() Our SAFPLANK®, SAFPLANK HD®, SAFDEK®, and STRONGDEK® decking and planking fiberglass products are all UV-inhibited as standard, offering exceptional weatherability in near-constant exposure to harsh UV light. This is integrated into fiberglass products at the pultrusion stage, providing uniform UV-resistance across the entire component cross-section. Surface veiling and coating can assist in the prevention of fiber blooming, but the most robust UV-resistance is ensured with a polymeric resin impregnated with UV inhibitors. Without proper maintenance, this surface flaw can cause mechanical and structural damage that affect the practical qualities of the product. This firstly results in optical and tactile inconsistencies, which may be uncomfortable to touch. Constant exposure to subvisible rays of light can cause a weakening of the glass fibers in fiberglass products, causing them to become exposed in a process known as “fiber blooming”. There is a more complex form of UV degradation that is exclusive to fiberglass products, however. UV-stabilized polyurethane-based paint provides long-lasting protection against color fading, ensuring that external components retain their design-specification aesthetics for as long as possible. Veiling the exposed surfaces of components is one of the most effective methods of reducing the effects of photo-bleaching in fiberglass products. The degree of fading varies dramatically depending on the color of the part, the intensity, and duration of direct sunlight, and the presence or lack thereof of surface veiling materials. This phenomenon is not unique to fiberglass, however, and it has no bearing on the structural integrity of the part. In this blog post, Strongwell explores how well fiberglass products withstand UV degradation in real-world environments.įiberglass products that are continuously exposed to UV radiation may succumb to unsightly color fading. Photo-bleaching by UV radiation affects textiles, wood, steels, aluminum, polymers, and much more, producing optical inconsistencies and accelerating other forms of corrosion. Humans may be incapable of seeing UV radiation, but its effects on materials are self-evident, particularly in sunny climates. Waves in this band are shorter than those of visible light and are invisible to the naked eye, yet they comprise as much as 10% of the total light output of the sun. If not, like I said, in the bad news… this may cost you some money to fix.Ultraviolet (UV) degradation is a form of photo-corrosion caused by light with extremely small wavelengths roughly between 10 – 400 nanometers (nm).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |