What is UV20?
The standard for UV performance for PE Water Tanks specified in AS/NZS 4766 PE Tanks for the Storage of Chemicals and Water is 8,000 hours of uninterrupted exposure to an intense and specifically developed UV light source. Qenos exhaustively tests the long term UV performance of its Rotational Moulding Resins under conditions of controlled irradiance, chamber temperature and humidity and repeated rain cycles. Alkatuff LL711UV resin achieves a class leading UV performance exceeding 20,000 hours against the required standards, ensuring that tanks made from Alkatuff LL711UV are Tough in the Sun.
When polyethylene is exposed outdoors, the ultra-violet component of the sunlight causes photo-oxidation of the polymer, resulting in surface crazing and a marked deterioration of the mechanical properties with time. Stabilisers are incorporated into the polyethylene to provide weather resistance for outdoor applications. Qenos’ premium tank grade Alkatuff LL711UV achieves a rating of UV20 when tested in accordance with requirements AS/NZS 4766 “Polyethylene storage tanks for water and chemicals”. This far exceeds the minimum requirement of UV8.
Both Alkatuff LL711UV and LL705UV contain premium UV and antioxidant packages and meet the requirements of the tank standard AS/NZS 4766.
Where very long UV life spans are required carbon black may be incorporated at 2 – 2.5 w/w%. The type and dispersion of carbon black via compounding are important in achieving the best result.
