BASF Instrument of protection of plastic products against UV rays

As it became known in October, 2017, the German chemical concern BASF, the Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA) and the German center of aircraft and astronautics (DLR) combined efforts for creation of the instrument of forecasting of intensity of UV-radiation which allows to select more precisely additives to plastics and to prolong service life of plastic products.

Scientists from NASA and DLR created cards which display UV-radiation levels in all points of the globe. With their help BASF will be able to optimize use of additives to plastics that the end product was optimum adapted to specific conditions of the region where it will be used.

Main factor of premature wear

As you know, solar ultraviolet rays — the main factor of premature wear of the plastics subject to impact of direct sunlight which are applied in agriculture, construction or automotive industry. Light stabilizers of BASF are capable to neutralize harmful effects of UV-radiation on plastics at the correct use in chemical composition of material. However it is extremely important to predict the expected level of influence of UV-radiation in a certain area where the equipment will be used and also to calculate its planned service life.

Even little changes in geography of use of products can lead to more serious influence of UV rays, and, therefore, accelerate physical deterioration. In Northern and Central Europe UV-radiation is moderate, and, for example, in Southern Europe and Asia the plastic products open for sunlight are often subject to critical levels of wear. This problem is especially relevant for stabilization of agricultural films in greenhouses in China, India, in some parts of Australia and the Mediterranean which should be capable to maintain radiation levels similar to solar radiation in the Sahara Desert, specified in BASF.

Calculation of volume of solar radiation

Using data of satellite and ground stations for modeling of UV-radiation, NASA and DLR is calculated what volume of solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface. Here it is required to consider several factors: time of day, season and geographical location. It is also necessary to take space and temporary distribution of clouds, atmospheric ozone, snow, ice and a landscape into account. The set of these factors allows to define more precisely local intensity and flux density of UV-radiation.

Accuracy of the provided tool for determination of levels of UF-radiation provides high detailing up to city landscapes, revealing earlier unknown microclimates with the increased radiation.

Protection of plastic products

According to representatives of BASF, the created cards with levels of UV-radiation will allow concern to optimize indicators of the predicted service life of plastic products in a certain environment and to reduce risk of appearance of defects, the climatic conditions caused by features. Thus, BASF will be able to help clients to protect plastic products, selecting the corresponding stabilization system and optimizing loading level.

The concern applies information on distribution and level of UV-radiation to development of additives in plastics and considers at the recommendation to the clients of light stabilizers. Among advantages to producers in BASF selected not only an opportunity more precisely to predict service life of products, but also economy of costs because of the choice of more durable materials for outside application.