Why Strontium Aluminate(YGZ) Replaces Zinc Sulfide

Why Strontium Aluminate(YGZ) Replaces Zinc Sulfide

WHAT IS GLOW IN THE DARK POWDER

Yellow-green, blue-green, and sky-blue strontium aluminate glow powder, the latest generation that is non-toxic, colorless, and odorless

Glow In The Dark Powder Luminescence Principle:

Absorbs various visible lights, such as sunlight and artificial light, and emits light in the dark. Principle: Transition of light ions, which is a physical change. It has three main colors of yellow-green, blue-green and sky blue, and 8 kinds of dyeing powders. Contains a variety of applications: plasticsinkspaintsrubber & siliconeresinsglass & ceramics.

Eco-friendly, Non-toxic, Non-radiative (SVHC – European Standard, testing 181 substances, all compliant with SVHC requirements).

The first generation, radium, emits radiation. The second generation, Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4), pollutes the environment with acid rain. Nowadays, the vast majority on the market is the third generation, Strontium Aluminate (SrAl2O4), which uses rare earth as an excitation agent to make it luminescent, non-toxic, non-radiative, and eco-friendly.

Lifespan and Storage Conditions:

Luminescence is a physical change, so the lifespan is 15-20 years. It should be stored in a dry and cool place. Once opened, it should be used as soon as possible. If not used up, the bag should be tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption (moisture absorption will cause whitening and clumping, weakening or disappearing the luminescent effect).

WHY STRONTIUM ALUMINATE REPLACES ZINC SULFIDE IN GLOW IN THE POWDER

Strontium aluminate has become the preferred material for glow-in-the-dark pigments, replacing zinc sulfide due to several advantages in performance, safety, and environmental impact. Here are the main reasons why strontium aluminate is favored over zinc sulfide:

Longer Glow Duration:

Strontium aluminate pigments have a significantly longer afterglow time compared to zinc sulfide. This makes them more suitable for applications where prolonged luminescence is needed without external energy sources.

Higher Brightness:

Strontium aluminate pigments can store more light energy and emit it with higher brightness. This property makes them more effective in low-light conditions and enhances their usability in safety and emergency signage.

Environmental and Safety Benefits:

Unlike zinc sulfide, which may require the addition of radioactive elements to enhance its glow, strontium aluminate is non-toxic, non-hazardous, and non-radioactive. This makes it a safer and more environmentally friendly option.

Stability Under Various Conditions:

Strontium aluminate is chemically and physically more stable than zinc sulfide. It performs well under different environmental conditions such as changes in humidity and temperature, which can degrade the performance of zinc sulfide-based pigments.

Broader Application Scope:

Due to the above advantages, strontium aluminate pigments are used in a wider range of applications, including safety signs, transportation, consumer goods, and artistic applications. They meet the demands for high-performance luminescent materials across various industries.

Limited Color Range:

While zinc sulfide pigments are typically limited in color options, strontium aluminate pigments also offer a limited range but are generally available in more vibrant and useful glow colors like green and blue, which are preferred for visibility and aesthetic purposes.

These factors contribute to why strontium aluminate has largely replaced zinc sulfide in new glow-in-the-dark products, aligning with industry trends towards safer, more effective, and environmentally friendly materials.

WHY STRONTIUM ALUMINATE IS AN ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIAL

Strontium aluminate, as a raw material for luminous powder, is widely favored for its unique non-toxic and harmless characteristics. Its efficient and environmentally friendly luminescent properties make it an ideal choice for various safety signs, decorations, and consumer goods. But why do we say strontium aluminate is an eco-friendly material?

Strontium aluminate, as a non-toxic, harmless, and non-radioactive material, demonstrates its safety in the following aspects:

  • Chemical Stability: Strontium aluminate exhibits extremely high chemical stability. Under normal conditions of use, it does not decompose or release harmful substances, ensuring its safe use in various environments.
  • Physical Properties: The principle of its luminescence is based on electron transition rather than chemical reaction. This means that its light emission process does not produce harmful substances and can be reused without diminishing its eco-friendliness over time.
  • Biocompatibility: Due to its non-toxic nature, strontium aluminate is friendly to both humans and the environment, causing no skin irritation or respiratory system impacts. This makes strontium aluminate-based luminous powder an ideal material for making toys, safety signs, personal protective equipment, and other products.
  • Non-Radioactivity: Strontium aluminate does not contain radioactive elements and does not emit any form of radioactive radiation. This is particularly important when compared to previous radioactive luminescent materials such as zinc sulfide. Therefore, strontium aluminate-based luminous powder has significant advantages in terms of safety.
  • Environmental Characteristics: The production and use of strontium aluminate do not pollute the environment. It is a green and environmentally friendly material widely used in various environmental projects and products, such as environmentally friendly building materials, traffic safety facilities, and various safety and identification fields, including emergency exit signs, escape route indicators, safety helmets, etc.
  • Compliance with EU Environmental Standards: Strontium aluminate-based luminous powder meets the strict requirements of European environmental standards, such as the SVHC standard, further proving its non-toxic, harmless, and non-radioactive characteristics.

In Summary

These characteristics make strontium aluminate an ideal material widely used in civil and industrial fields, especially in areas where high material safety performance is required, such as children’s toys, safety signs, and decorative materials. It not only guarantees the safety of products but also responds to the increasing demands for environmental protection and human health.

 

FAQs2024-11-25T07:42:43+00:00

Frequently Asked Question

General Introduction

It obsorbs all kinds of visible light such as sunlight, lamp light or UV light, store in the particles, and release the brightness when coming to dark environment. It can glow again after recharging.

No. The process of absorbing and releasing light is a physical change, so in theory, it can be used permenantly.

After fully charging, it can glow 8-12 hours in totally dark laboratory room. But if using the area with light surroudings or outside, the glowing duration will be much shorter by the feeling of naked eyes. Since everyone’s visual perception varies, it is recommended to observe the effect in the actual setting.

No, it will attenuate along time goes by.

Yes, it is non-toxic, non radiation, and eco-friendly. It has passed the European SVHC test.

It can be mixed with all transparent and colorless medium with PH 6-8, such as paint, ink, plastic, glass, ceramic, rubber, silicon etc. It is granular powder, cannot melt in liquid medium. There are different powder types suitable for different applications.

With a appropriate storing condition, the powder’s lifespan is at least 15-20 years. After mixing with medium, the mixture’s lifespan is decided by the medium. For example, if transparent paint getting

No MOQ, you can order any quantity you want. After confirming the powder type, we will quote and issue PI (PROFORMA INVOICE), and arrange the delivery after getting the payment.
< 20kg, package will be heat-sealed bag in carton. > 20kg, package will be in double layer plastic bag in iron bucket. Samples are shipped via express delivery, while bulk orders are shipped by sea, air or railway.

For Paint

A transparent and colorless paint with PH 5-8 is needed. Any solid color will cover the luminence.
cover the luminence
Yes, we have waterproof powder available for waterbased paint.
Mixing the transparent paint and glow powder physically according to the specified ratios with additives (such as thickener, dispersant, anti-setting agent) if needed.

See this video: How to Mix.

Do NOT using iron container and stick to mix. Plastic, ceramic and glass is suggested

Better to applying the glowing paint soon after mixing, to avoid powder settlement.
Glow-in-the-dark paint, when used indoors, can glow for 8-12 hours after being fully charged. When applied outdoors, the afterglow duration can be affected by various factors, such as ambient brightness.

For Plastic

Transparent and colorless plastic will be the best. Semi-transparent is also workable, but the glowing effect will be somewhat covered. The common material mixing with glowing powder include PP, PE, PET, ABS, PLA, PS, Nylon, Sarin etc.

In final plastic products, 10%-15% is the maximum dosage of glow in the dark powders. Adding more than this can easily lead to blackening.
We have dyed multi-colors powder available, but for plastic, it’s better to using nature colors, and dye them during injection or extrusion process. Directly using dyed glow powder for plastic is easily to bring dispersion problem.
No. There is limitation of colors using for glowing products. Normally the lighter, the more transparent, the better glow effect. Clients needs to adjust colors in their injection or extrusion process.

For Ink

All transparent and colorless ink with PH5-8 can be used, including UV-based, solvent-based and water-based ink. Any solid color will cover the luminescence.

Screen printing, gravure and flexo printing is normally used, but they need different particle sizes of the glowing pigment.

We have 16 different colors available, but they have different characters. Please contact us to provide the application. We will make recommendations.

For Glass & Ceramic

There isn’t an exact temperature as a “limitation”when using in glass or ceramic. Factors affect final glowing effect includes kiln’s size, product designs, heating time etc. You can ask details from us.
A transparent glaze is needed. Colorful ceramic will cover the glowing brightness.
Do NOT using iron container and stick to mix. Plastic, ceramic and glass is suggested.
To keep the best glowing effect, the lower temperature the better, and the shorter heating time the better.

For Rubber & Silicon

A transparent rubber or silicon is needed. Colorful ones will cover the glowing brightness.
Yes, it is no problem. Glow in the dark powder will not have any change during vulcanization process.
The experienced dosage are various from a few thousandths to tens of percent depending on different products. It is related with product designs, glowing brightness requirements, budgets etc. You can ask details from us.
We have 16 different colors available. But to get the best glowing effect, please contact us to discuss the product details. We may give suggestions of taking dyed colorful pigment from us directly, or make dying from your side.

GlowUp® Paint

GlowUp® paint is making by acrylic water-based paint and glow in the dark pigment.

When the paint is exposed to a light source, the strontium aluminate material absorbs and stores light energy. When the light source is removed, this stored energy is released as visible light, causing the paint to glow in the dark. Strontium aluminate provides bright and long-lasting illumination.
Under sealed conditions, GlowUp® Paint can be stored for at least 2 years. Once opened, it is better to use it soon to ensure the best glow effect. When applied on ground, the friction from vehicles, pedestrians, and other factors will shorten the paint’s lifespan to 3-5 years. However, when applied to walls and kept free from physical damage, the paint can maintain a longer time.

Single glow layer (25℃ for example): Touch Dry ≤ 2 hours. Two layers needed. 24 hours will be totally dry.

Under sealed conditions, GlowUp® Paint can be stored for at least 2 years. Once opened, it is better to use it soon to ensure the best glow effect. When applied on ground, the friction from vehicles, pedestrians, and other factors will shorten the paint’s lifespan to 3-5 years. However, when applied to walls and kept free from physical damage, the paint can maintain a longer time.

When used indoors, it can glow for 8-12 hours after being fully charged. When applied outdoors, the afterglow duration can be affected by ambient brightness. Since everyone’s visual perception varies, it is recommended to test the effect in the actual setting.

  • Clean and repair the surface.
  • Apply white primer.
  • Mix glow paint and hardener, apply the 1st layer, and let it dry for 1-2 hours.
  • Apply the 2nd layer and let it dry for 1-2 hours.
  • Optional: Apply a thin layer of transparent topcoat.
  • For instructions, refer to this video: How to Apply Glow-in-the-Dark Paint.
A plastic drum holds 20kg (≈44.09 pounds) of paint.

2024-11-11T08:11:55+00:00April 12th, 2024|Knowledge|

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