Plastics Enclosures
Resistance to Direct Sunlight
Many plastic enclosures are designed to be UV stabilised to protect them from solar radiation from direct or indirect sunlight. However UV stabilisation can often have a different meaning in a users eyes compared with the plastic manufacturers.
To test what happens to plastic when exposed to direct, harsh sunlight, B&R put a range of plastic enclosures up on the roof of our factory for a year to see what would happen. It should be noted that this would be a very extreme test as: -
Our factory is located in Brisbane, Australia which is one of the areas of highest UV radiation in the world (see http://www.soda-is.com/maps/WorldUVab.png and http://www.soda-is.com/img/carte_Ed_13_world.pdf for more details)
The largest face of the enclosure is in direct sunlight all the time
There would be significant reflection from the factory roof which is steel
Our recommendations are as follows:
- Polynova PJ - Direct sunlight causes a yellowing of the material but no structural issues. Can be used when aesthetic concerns are not an issue.
- Polynova PS - Can be used in all cases
- Polynova PC -
- Polynova PM - Direct sunlight causes a yellowing of the material but no structural issues. Can be used when aesthetic concerns are not an issue.
- Polynova PN - Can be used in all cases
- Polynova PD - Do not use without appropriate sun shielding.
Note: The yellowing seen is usually the result of a reaction involving the fire retardants used in making of the enclosures safe for indoor usage. There is a method of reversing this reaction. More information can be obtained at http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/Retr0Bright+Gel