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Solutions For Outdoor Labelling Challenges

20 Feb 2025

Author: CILS International

We have a range of labels (CILS-TGWPET and CILS-TSSPET) that have been tested against UV exposure for 750 hours in a weatherometer.

This is considered within the industry to mean that labels that pass this process should not fail within the expected lifespan of a product when used outdoors.

HOWEVER, THIS IS VERY SUBJECTIVE AND DEPENDENT ON SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING:

  • Geographical location: the Arizona desert is very different to Scotland
  • Outdoor duration: is the label permanently outdoors?
  • Label position: south-facing and exposed will deteriorate quicker than shaded areas
  • Weather exposure: salt spray and rain etc.
  • Constant or fluctuating temperatures

CILS outdoor label resisting UV exposure

Because of these factors, it is impossible to clearly say what 750 hours in a UV chamber represents in real-time end use outside.

The UV exposure is a standardised test with a Xenon Arc Lamp producing light in a certain wavelength at an intensity of 0.35 W/m2: samples are exposed to this light for 102 minutes, followed by 18 minutes of exposure to water, then the cycle starts again. Both the temperature and humidity are controlled. This is a standard industry test and does not prove suitability for any particular application.

IF THE LABEL IS GOING TO BE PERMANENTLY POSITIONED OUTDOORS, WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR GREATER OUTDOOR EXPOSURE:

  • CILS 8400-OD10 White Cast Vinyl: 10-year outdoor rated
  • CILS 8400C-OD8 Clear Cast Vinyl: 8-year outdoor rated
  • CILS 8400C-OD7 Clear Cast Vinyl: 7-year outdoor rated
  • CILS-TGYCVLSE+ Yellow Cast Vinyl: 8-year outdoor rated
  • CILS-TGSCVLSE+ Silver Cast Vinyl: 6-year outdoor rated
  • CILS-TGBCVLSE+ Black Cast Vinyl: 10-year outdoor rated

While long-term performance cannot be guaranteed for these materials due to the reasons mentioned above, they offer the highest level of outdoor durability compared to any other durable labels.

TO EXPLORE THE BEST OPTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION, PLEASE SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR SPECIALISTS.

If you are scientifically minded and want to learn more about the challenges of comparing actual and simulated weather exposures on a synthetic material, we found this great read on Google: Service Life Prediction of Polymers and Plastics Exposed to Outdoor Weathering.

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