Photokestäviä

Photokestäviä is a Finnish term that translates to "photo-resistant" or "light-resistant" in English. It describes materials or substances that are designed to withstand or degrade slowly when exposed to light, particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This property is crucial in many applications where products are expected to have a long lifespan when exposed to sunlight or other light sources.

Materials that are photokestäviä often contain additives called UV stabilizers or absorbers. These additives work by either absorbing the harmful UV radiation and converting it into heat, or by scavenging free radicals that are formed when light interacts with the material, thus preventing degradation. Common polymers like plastics, paints, coatings, and textiles can be made photokestäviä through the incorporation of these protective agents.

The importance of photokestäviä materials is evident in everyday items. For example, outdoor furniture, car exteriors, window frames, and outdoor signage are manufactured using photokestäviä plastics to prevent them from becoming brittle, discolored, or structurally weakened by prolonged sun exposure. Similarly, many outdoor fabrics for awnings, tents, and clothing are treated to be photokestäviä, ensuring their durability and colorfastness. The development and application of photokestäviä materials contribute significantly to product longevity and reduce the need for frequent replacements, thereby having environmental and economic benefits.