UV Resistance

Thermoplastics can be subject to degradation if environmental factors are not taken into account.

Environmental conditions that could be damaging to plastics include exposure to UV, moisture, chemicals, temperature and oxidation. Not all grades of thermoplastics are suitable for outdoor applications. Materials that are not UV stable will change both in appearance and molecular structure when exposed to UV, and over time can become brittle, crack, change colour, warp etc.

Careful consideration should be taken to ensure correct material selection for not only the application but also the environment in which the material is expected to perform.

• How long will the material / part be expected to last?
• To what extend or time period will the material / part exposed to UV?
  (For example, direct UV early morning/late afternoon or longer periods of exposure during the high risk UV times of the day.) What other environmental factors impact on the application?
• Exposure to other harsh environmental factors, (e.g. water, temperature extremes, chemicals etc.) can impact on overall material performance and contribute to degradation.

This table is a quick guide to assist with product suitability under normal working conditions with exposure to direct sunlight. If you have any questions about environmental effects on thermoplastics, please contact your nearest Dotmar office for assistance.

(Standard grades of thermoplastics can be modified with UV stabilizers to increase UV resistant properties.)

		Product Name	Resistance
		NOTE: Natural acetal will degrade over time when exposed to UV. Black acetal provides better stability.
		Acetal — Ertacetal®	YES - Black NO - Natural
		Ketron PEEK	YES
		NOTE: Most unfilled, natural grades of nylon will eventually degrade upon exposure to UV. Carbon filled grades provide better UV stability and can be used in selected applications where UV resistance is required.
		Nylon Ertalon® 4.6
		Nylon Ertalon® 66GF30
		Nylon Ertalon® 66SA
		Nylon Ertalon® 6PLA
		Nylon Ertalon® 6SA
		Nylon Ertalon® 6XAU
		Nylon Ertalon® LFX
		Nylon Ertalon® PA99 FRAS
		Nylon Nylatron® 703XL
		Nylon Nylatron® GS
		Nylon Nylatron® GSM
		Nylon Nylatron® MC901
		Orkot C320 (TLG)	YES
		Orkot C321 (TL)	YES
		Orkot TLM Marine	YES
		Orkot TXM Marine	YES
		Duratron T4203 & T4503 PAI	YES
		Duratron T4301 & T4501 PAI	YES
		Duratron T5530 PAI	YES
		(PC is traditionally not UV stable. Dotmar's Safeguard PC sheet is a high quality, UV stabilized material.)
		Polycarbonate Safeguard UVX	YES
		Polyester PETP Ertalyte®	NO
		Polyester PETP Ertalyte® TX	NO
		Polyetherimide PEI 1000
		Natural polyethylene grades will degrade upon exposure UV. Discoloration will occur and material will become brittle. Black sheet provides better UV stability. Dotmar's Polystone black grades offer exceptional UV stability for the harsh Australian climatic conditions.
		Polyethylene PE Nuvex® Boatboard	YES
		Polyethylene PE Nuvex® Leisureboard	YES
		Polyethylene PE Nuvex® Playboard	YES
		Polyethylene PE Nuvex® Saniboard	YES
		Polyethylene PE Uniboard Eco	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® Ezyslide 78
		Polyethylene Polystone® Fender	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® Matrox	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® M-Flametech	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® M-Slide	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® PG100	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® P300	YES - Black NO - Natural
		Polyethylene Polystone® P500	YES - Black NO - Natural
		Polyethylene Polystone® P7000	YES - Black NO - Natural
		Polyethylene Polystone® P8000+	YES
		Polyethylene Polystone® Ultra	YES
		Polypropylene Polystone® PP-H	Moderate UV resistance
		Polypropylene Uniboard Standard	YES
		Polypropylene Uniboard Ultrastiff	YES
		Polysulphone PSU 1000	YES
		Polyvinylchloride Trovidur® EN PVC	Moderate UV resistance
		PPSU 1000	YES
		Techron® HPV PPS	YES
		Tetron® PTFE	YES
		TroBloc M + F	YES