When buying ultraviolet absorbers, try to avoid these 4 problems! Advice from those who've been there. You'll only realize how troublesome it is if you make a mistake.

As a kind of polymer material, aging is a common phenomenon in plastics. During the use of polymer materials, due to the comprehensive effects of environmental factors such as heat, oxygen, water, light, microorganisms, and chemical media, a series of changes will occur in the chemical composition and structure of polymer materials. Correspondingly, their physical properties will also deteriorate, such as becoming hard, sticky, brittle, discolored, and losing strength. These changes and phenomena are called aging.

General Preventive Measures 

1. Humidity 

Polyesters, polyacetals, polyamides and polysaccharide polymers can undergo hydrolysis in the presence of water under the catalysis of acids or bases. In regions with severe air pollution and frequent acid rain, the use of these polymer materials will be restricted. If a waterproof film can be coated on the surface of these materials, the occurrence of hydrolytic aging can be reduced or even avoided. 

2. Oxygen 

During the processing of polymers, amide antioxidants, phenolic antioxidants, sulfur-containing organic compounds and phosphorus-containing compounds can be added. They can react rapidly with peroxy radicals, thus terminating the chain reaction prematurely. 

3. Photoaging 

During the processing of materials, the addition of light stabilizers can prevent the aging and degradation of the materials. According to the mechanism of action, these light stabilizers include light screening agents, ultraviolet absorbers, quenchers and free radical scavengers.

Since there are so many influencing factors and corresponding measures in the use of plastic - like polymer materials, and the components are numerous with complex proportions, it is recommended to use compound anti - aging agents. Generally, compound anti - aging agents take into account comprehensive issues such as antioxidant, anti - ultraviolet, light stability, and shielding. 

When general manufacturers solve the aging problem of plastics, there are mostly four phenomena. What are the four phenomena? 

1. Only buy the expensive ones, not the right ones. 

They think that the more expensive ones must be better. In fact, any additive has both advantages and disadvantages, as well as certain drawbacks. For example, ultraviolet absorbers all have different optimal absorption bands, ranging from 270 - 430NM. There are different models of ultraviolet absorbers distributed. For the anti - ultraviolet of plastic products in different bands, choosing the appropriate UV absorber is the best choice and can achieve the best effect.

2. Only recognize foreign products, not domestic ones. 

They believe that only foreign products can solve the problem, but this is not the case. It is generally recognized that imported additives have stable and reliable quality. However, if only one type of additive is used, the functional defects of the additive itself will become apparent. It can solve some problems, but not all functional issues. Of course, if all foreign products are selected, the effect may be good, but what about the usage cost? And the procurement of raw materials? Many troubles will be encountered in these aspects.

3. Only buy general-purpose products, not specialized ones. 

The internal molecular structures of different plastics and different polymers are not the same. Some have good oxidation resistance, some are resistant to light, and some are resistant to rain. Then, the requirements for a series of anti-aging properties are surely different as well. How could we possibly use the same approach to solve different problems? That's definitely wrong. Even if it has some effect, I'm afraid the cost of use won't be worthwhile.

4. Only recognize the function of ultraviolet absorbers and do not consider other synergistic effects. 

Ultraviolet absorbers perform quite well in dealing with ultraviolet light, but their functions are still single. There are so many factors that affect aging, which cannot be solved by just one ultraviolet absorber. This requires us to take a comprehensive consideration. It is the best choice to solve the problems of ultraviolet light, oxygen, heat, and water repellency at the same time. Thus, compound anti-aging agents for plastics came into being, which can better solve the comprehensive problem of plastic aging.