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2006-05-01 News Headlines
Plastics with strontium
aluminate for fire safety photoluminescent signs
For long lasting photoluminescent life safety markings, Ampacet introduces
improved strontium aluminate color masterbatches combined with plastics
for fire safety use.
Photoluminescent signs guide people from enclosed spaces during fires
and other emergencies.
Many fire laws call for long-lasting photoluminescent signs, strips and
other markings to guide people out of enclosed spaces in a fire. These
life-safety markings are generally made of plastic compounded with strontium
aluminate, a difficult-to-process material. In light of this, Ampacet
Corporation has introduced a line of improved strontium aluminate color
masterbatches coupled with the support services needed to apply them effectively.
Ampacet photoluminescent masterbatches can be used with many polymers,
including acrylic, polyethylene, and polycarbonate, nylon and other engineering
resins.
Strontium aluminate poses processing challenges because it is as hard
as tungsten and abrades screws and barrels during processing. The abraded
metal fines block pores on strontium aluminate particles, so they emit
less light in the dark. To avert this, Ampacet offers its customers a
service package that includes production and testing support to ensure
the items they make meet photoluminescence specifications.
"We've found a new way to configure strontium aluminate pigment in
the masterbatch to promote high photoluminescence levels," says Rich
Novomesky, Market Manager at Ampacet. "We've also identified a variety
of molding and extrusion practices to help processors create products
that meet set photoluminescent standards."
Life safety markings are required for escape routes in many settings,
including ships holding more than 36 passengers, commercial buildings,
buses, and subway and passenger rail cars. They are also mandated for
the interior of trunk latches in automobiles. Products made to meet such
regulations include injection molded arrows, extruded profiles for walls,
extrusion coatings for tape to form glowing bands on walls and floors,
and coated film for exit signs.
Independent testing found that acrylic and polyethylene compounds containing
the new photoluminescent masterbatches exceed afterglow duration and brilliance
levels in various standards. For example, the American Public Transportation
Association standard for emergency signage for egress from passenger rail
(APTA SS-PS-002-98 Rev. 1) specifies an afterglow of 7.5 mcd/m2 at 90
minutes. In testing the 90-minute afterglow luminance, Ampacet’s
product was 10.8 mcd/m2 for one acrylic formulation and 8.0 mcd/m2 for
a linear low density polyethylene compound.
Similar results were gained in testing against DIN 67 510 Parts 1-4 for
photoluminescent escape route systems and New York City Local Law 26 of
2004, which applies to commercial high-rise buildings over 75 feet tall.
Find
information about Ampacet Corporation.
Ampacet Corporation is a global masterbatch leader and offers the broadest
range of custom color, special effect, black, white and specialty additive
masterbatches for extrusion, molding and a multitude of other processes
and applications. Founded in 1937, it now employs more than 1,400 people
and has revenues exceeding $650 million. Headquartered in Tarrytown, N.Y.,
Ampacet Corporation operates technical and color development centers and
manufacturing sites throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe.
Read a recent press release from Ampacet about; 'Ampacet
Corporation introduces LaserMark Solutions, a service to help packaging
companies with consistent laser marks on film, blow molded, and injection
molded packaging.'
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