29 Jul
2010
29 Jul
'10
11:33 a.m.
On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 12:55 PM, Eric Smith <eric at brouhaha.com> wrote:
Richard wrote:
If it's an artifact you're keeping on display, where it is exposed to UV
light, then it is going to continue yellowing.
Eric
The yellowing isn't necessarily being caused by exposure to UV as
stated. It's a breakdown of the flame retardent in the plastics over
time, which is designed to disburse the bromine throughout the plastic
instead of releasing it in the air, which is what causes the yellowing
and bromine:
http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/Flame+Retardants
People have had yellowing occur in items completely out of sunlight in
a dark basement.
UV light is actually part of the solution for rebonding it by exciting
the bromine and getting it to seek out oxygen atoms again, thusly
rebonding.
http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/Ultra+Violet+Energy
You provide the the oxygen through the Oxy along with the needed
hydrogen for bonding from hydgrogen peroxide, hence the entire
process.
http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/Catalyst
And really, the light coat of satin acrylic lacquer you spray on it
after to seal it can also be found in UV protectant versions to help
with future degradation if you plan on having it around UV sources as
well.
Marty