Any lurkers or would-be chemists / polymer experts out there have any idea how fast Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) plastic might yellow in outdoor use? (Turns out Google is not your friend, or maybe I'm just not using the right search terms!)
Thanks!!
-mpm
Hello,
The material on its own has poor UV resistance according to various sites (see for example:
With kind regards,
Wim PA3DJS
For others who might view this thread in the future...
After much research: If you want a clear plastic for longterm outdoor use, UV rated that won't yellow, crack, craze, deform, etc... your choices are:
1) Acrylic 2) PolycarbonateAcrylic is generally cheaper than polycarbonate, if you just consider raw material costs, and not the method of manufacturing your widget (injection molding, machineing, casting, etc...)
Hello MPM,
As far as I know standard Acrylic (PMMA, brand name Perspex) has excellent UV resistance. Polycarbonate (PC, brand name Lexan) needs additives or special coatings to have good UV resistance, otherwise it yellows (also under for example HID lamps). Of course impact strength of PC is factors better then standard PMMA.
With kind regards,
Wim PA3DJS
Us left-pondians call it "plexiglass." ;-)
But maybe we shouldn't. Plexiglas is a trademarked name. Like Xerox, though, it may now be in the public domain.
I support Wim's reference to it as Acrylic.
Cheers, John
Yeah, and also Kleenex, Windex, Drano, and Variac. ;-)
Cheers! Rich
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required