The photostability of PET silver plated reflective film: performance under long-term illumination

1、 Introduction

In the fields of optics and optoelectronics, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) silver plated reflective films are widely used in various optical devices, display technologies, and lighting systems. Its excellent reflective performance plays a key role in improving light utilization efficiency. However, for many practical application scenarios, light stability is a crucial performance indicator, directly related to whether PET silver plated reflective films can maintain stable performance under long-term light exposure. Advanced Institute (Shenzhen) Technology Co., LtdPET silver plated reflective filmThere has been in-depth exploration in the research of related technologies, and this article will combine its research results to explore the photostability of PET silver plated reflective films.

2、 Structure and Reflection Principle of PET Silver Plated Reflective Film

1. Structural characteristics
   • PET silver plated reflective film is based on PET film and coated with a layer of silver film on its surface. PET film has good flexibility, transparency, and chemical stability, providing stable support for the silver plating layer. The silver layer is a key part of the reflective film, which has high conductivity and reflectivity, and can effectively reflect light.
2. Reflection Principle
   • When light shines on the PET silver plated reflective film, the free electrons in the silver layer vibrate under the action of the electromagnetic field, thereby generating a secondary electromagnetic field with the same frequency as the incident light. This secondary electromagnetic field interacts with the incident light, causing most of the light to be reflected back, achieving the reflective function of the reflective film.

3、 Factors affecting the photostability of PET silver plated reflective film

1. Oxidation of Silver Layer
   • Under prolonged exposure to light, especially in aerobic environments, the silver layer may undergo oxidation reactions. Silver oxidation will form silver oxide, which has different optical properties from silver and can affect the reflectivity of the reflective film. Light exposure may accelerate chemical reactions on the surface of the silver layer, as the energy of photons may promote the formation of chemical bonds between silver atoms and oxygen molecules.
   • Advanced Institute (Shenzhen) Technology Co., LtdThe study found that by adding a special protective film on the surface of the silver plating layer, the contact between the silver layer and oxygen can be effectively reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of silver oxidation. This protective film has good oxygen barrier properties and high transmittance to light, without affecting the reflective function of the reflective film.
2. Aging of PET substrate
   • PET substrates may also experience aging under prolonged exposure to light. The ultraviolet portion of light exposure may cause the breakage or cross-linking of PET molecular chains, thereby altering the physical and chemical properties of PET. For example, the transparency and flexibility of PET may decrease, which may indirectly affect the overall performance of silver plated reflective films.
   • Advanced Institute (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. found that the anti-aging ability of PET substrate can be improved by adding specific light stabilizer through the modification research of PET substrate. These light stabilizers can absorb the energy of ultraviolet radiation and convert it into harmless thermal energy, thereby protecting the PET molecular chains from damage.

4、 Performance testing and analysis under long-term illumination

1. Changes in reflectivity
   • Experiments have shown that after prolonged exposure to light (such as simulating outdoor lighting conditions for thousands of hours), the reflectivity of PET silver plated reflective films without special treatment will decrease to a certain extent. This is mainly due to the combined effect of silver layer oxidation and PET substrate aging. However, the PET silver plated reflective film using the protection technology of Advanced Institute (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. (silver layer protective film and PET substrate light stabilizer addition) has a significantly reduced decrease in reflectivity within the same light exposure time.
2. Changes in physical properties of membranes
   • Under prolonged exposure to light, ordinaryPET silver plated reflective filmThere may be physical property changes such as brittle film layers and decreased adhesion. This is because the aging of PET substrate leads to a deterioration in its mechanical properties, which in turn affects the structural integrity of the entire reflective film. The improved PET silver coated reflective film, due to the enhanced anti-aging ability of PET substrate, its physical properties can remain relatively stable after lighting, and the flexibility of the film and the adhesion of the silver coating have no obvious changes.

5、 Conclusion

The photostability of PET silver plated reflective film may be affected by silver layer oxidation and PET substrate aging under long-term light exposure, which may lead to performance degradation. However, through the relevant technologies of Advanced Institute (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., such as adding protective films on the surface of silver layers and adding light stabilizers to PET substrates, the photostability of PET silver plated reflective films can be significantly improved, enabling them to maintain good reflective and physical properties under long-term light exposure. This is of great significance for the long-term stable application of PET silver plated reflective film in the fields of optics and optoelectronics, and also provides direction for further optimizing the performance of PET silver plated reflective film.
The above data is for reference only, and specific performance may vary due to production processes and product specifications.