Moulded Material Grades

Solar Bollard Lighting® (SBL) uses only the patented SABIC LEXANTM SLX PC CO-POLYMER for our Dome Top cover due to the level of ultraviolet (UV) it must withstand during its operational life cycle.

Not all Polycarbonates have the same performance characteristics as explained further.

POLYCARBONATE (PC) IS MOST COMMONLY USED FOR SOLAR BOLLARD LIGHTS DUE TO ITSPOLYCARBONATE (PC) IS MOST COMMONLY USED FOR SOLAR BOLLARD LIGHTS DUE TO ITS

  • Durability
  • Strength
  • Optical Clarity (if moulded correctly)

Polycarbonate grades will perform differently when exposed to ultraviolet (UV):

STANDARD HIGH IMPACT POLYMER WITH A UV ADDITIVE – MOST COMMONLY USED

  • Low cost per kg
  • In 2-5 years will oxidise/yellow due to ultraviolet (UV) exposure and will:
  • • depreciate amount of irradiation that can be captured by the solar panel and recharge the battery
  • • will become brittle and lose impact integrity

SABIC LEXANTM SLX PC CO-POLYMER – ONLY USED BY SBL

  • Extremely high cost per kg as specially formulated to deliver:
  • • Improved long-term weatherability
  • • Resist yellowing/oxidisation due to ultraviolet (UV) exposure
  • Retains its excellent
  • • gloss, colour stability and
  • • mechanical properties (impact resistance)
  • More than five times longer than standard high impact polymer with a UV additive
  • More precise moulding expertise required to achieve a high-quality part

Sabic LEXANTM SLX co-polymer vs high impact polymer with UV additive.

6 YEARS SIMULATED WEATHERING
– UV oxidisation effect

6 Years Simulated Weathering

3 YEARS SIMULATED WEATHERING
– UV oxidisation effect

3 Years Simulated Weathering

HIGH IMPACT PC – ALMOST UNBREAKABLE

Impact protection (IK10) testing of SBL2 Series Solar Bollard Light to AS/NZS60529:2004 and IEC62262:2002. Real-life testing shows impact resistance from repeated strikes from a 3kg (6.6lb) sledgehammer.

ACRYLIC (PMMA)

  • Much cheaper than polycarbonate
  • Resists yellowing from UV
  • Prone to cracking and 30 x less impact resistance than PC

NYLON (PA)

  • Has good impact resistance
  • Typically, not flame retardant
  • Degrades with UV
  • A hygroscopic material that absorbs moisture

MOULDING CAPABILITIES USED BY SBL

Injection moulding can make a big difference to the finish quality of the moulded components and the product’s the long-term reliability:

  • Withstands impact and
  • Amount of light transmission through the material.

The following examples are of high impact PC polymer with a UV additive which is an easier material to mould and therefore weakens the actual part:

  • low finish clarity and
  • mould imperfections, such as air bubbles.

MOULDING IMPERFECTION OF LOW-GRADE COMPETITOR PRODUCTS

Solar Bollard Lighting acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters upon which we depend.
We recognize their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.