Application Spotlight - Overlay Market Series: Yellowing wasn't part of the design

Tekra is known in the market place as being a leader in the science of performance enhancing coatings for plastic films. While our products are used in twelve primary markets including the digital print market, medical market and automotive market, one of the main places our hardcoated products are used would be in the overlay market. In this four part serious we will dive into the overlay market and discover why Tekra’s hardcoated films are a preferred product to reduce unwanted characteristics such as yellowness, iridescence, scratching and chemicals breaking down the base film.

Yellowness in the material is an unacceptable quality when it comes to the visual appeal of graphics. Why does this yellowing occur in films? Much of this yellowing effect occurs when the base film is untreated and exposed to the environment. Plastics in general are robust and can withstand wear and tear far better than paper for example, but this does not mean that an untreated plastic film can withstand the harshness of the environment. When plastic film is exposed to the environment or too much UV radiation the material will begin to turn yellow, become brittle, and can even crack. This can be a very big issue in the example of an overlay application because machines with overlays can often be subject to the environment and UV light and if the overlay cracks the circuitry below can become exposed and the machine fails in the field.

To avoid field failures on overlays Tekra has developed a product to combat environmental elements and UV light from yellowing the base film. ProTek^® Weatherable Clear Heat Stabilized Polyester blocks 99% of UV light protecting the film from yellowing and embrittlement which makes it perfect for the overlay applications.

Contact your Tekra sales representative today for more information on our products suited for the overlay market.