Colour stability of plastic navigation buoy materials

In by Solar

Product Name: Navigation buoy
Test Method: Effect of UV radiation, colour measurement, gloss measurement
Client: Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Väylä
Test Result:

Plastic navigation buoy materials, Meritaito and RotationsPlast, were exposed to UV radiation. The total UV radiant exposure was 110 kWh/m2. The colours under test were red, yellow and green. For all colours, the colour changes were very small, ∆E < 2, and changes in gloss were insignificant. The changes were not visible to eye. However, the changes had not yet stabilized, and therefore, the changes may increase with an increase in the UV energy dose.

Test Purpose:

To test the colour stability of the selected plastic navigation buoy materials, Meritaito and RotationsPlast, when exposed to UV light. To compare the colour stability of the different materials with each other.

Test Method in Detail:

Exposure

Accelerated exposure to UV light (UVA 340), test method based on ISO4892-1 and -3

Ambient temperature: ~30℃

Intensity of UV radiation: 110 W/m2

Duration: 1000 h (~6 weeks)

Measurements

Colour CIELAB1976 and ∆E (colour change), after 0, ~333, ~667 and 1000 h exposure

Gloss 60° and Residual gloss, after 0, ~333, ~667 and 1000 h exposure