UV Absorber UV-928 for durable automotive interior plastics and trim

UV Absorber UV-928: The Invisible Guardian of Durable Automotive Interiors

Introduction: When the Sun Isn’t So Friendly

Let’s face it—sunlight is a double-edged sword. It brings warmth, light, and that golden glow to your car’s dashboard on a summer morning. But behind that cheerful façade lies a silent saboteur: ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For automotive interiors, especially those made from plastic and trim materials, prolonged exposure to UV rays can spell disaster in the form of fading, cracking, and general material degradation.

Enter UV-928, the unsung hero of modern automotive engineering. This UV absorber isn’t just another chemical compound with a hard-to-pronounce name; it’s a critical ingredient in ensuring that your car’s interior doesn’t turn into a brittle, faded relic after a few summers under the sun.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into UV-928—what it is, how it works, why it matters for automotive interiors, and what makes it stand out in a crowded market of UV stabilizers. We’ll also compare its performance with other similar products, provide detailed technical specifications, and explore real-world applications and case studies.

So buckle up, because we’re about to go on a journey through chemistry, engineering, and a bit of storytelling—all in service of understanding how one little molecule helps keep your car looking fresh for years to come. 🚗☀️

What Is UV-928?

UV-928 is a high-performance ultraviolet light absorber specifically designed for use in polymers exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Chemically known as 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenol, it belongs to the benzotriazole family—a group of compounds renowned for their ability to absorb harmful UV radiation and convert it into harmless heat energy.

Unlike some older UV protection technologies that simply reflect or scatter UV light, UV-928 actively absorbs these damaging wavelengths before they can wreak havoc on polymer chains. This makes it particularly effective in preventing color fading, surface cracking, and mechanical property loss in plastics used in demanding environments like automotive interiors.

Why UV Protection Matters for Automotive Interiors

Automotive interiors are constantly bombarded by sunlight, especially through windshields and side windows. While glass does block most UV-B rays, a significant portion of UV-A still gets through—and that’s enough to cause long-term damage over time.

Here’s what happens without proper UV protection:

• Color fading: Fabrics, leathers, and plastics lose their vibrancy.
• Surface degradation: Plastics become chalky, cracked, and brittle.
• Loss of mechanical strength: Structural integrity diminishes, leading to potential failure in safety-critical components.

This isn’t just an aesthetic issue—it affects durability, resale value, and even occupant comfort. That’s where UV-928 steps in, quietly doing its job behind the scenes.

How UV-928 Works: A Molecular-Level Defense System

At the molecular level, UV-928 functions by absorbing UV photons and converting them into low-level thermal energy. Its benzotriazole structure allows it to efficiently capture UV radiation in the 300–385 nm range—the most damaging part of the solar spectrum for polymers.

Once absorbed, the energy is dissipated safely through internal conversion mechanisms, preventing the initiation of photochemical reactions that lead to polymer chain scission and oxidation.

This process is both reversible and non-destructive, meaning UV-928 doesn’t break down quickly under sunlight exposure. In fact, one of its key advantages is its high photostability, which ensures long-term protection over the vehicle’s lifespan.

Technical Specifications of UV-928

To give you a clearer picture of what UV-928 brings to the table, here’s a comprehensive table summarizing its physical and chemical properties:

Performance Advantages of UV-928

What sets UV-928 apart from other UV absorbers? Let’s break it down:

1. High Photostability

Unlike many conventional UV absorbers that degrade quickly under prolonged UV exposure, UV-928 maintains its protective function for extended periods. This means less frequent reapplication or replacement—ideal for automotive parts designed to last 10+ years.

2. Broad-Spectrum Protection

With absorption peaks in the 300–385 nm range, UV-928 covers the full spectrum of UV-A radiation that penetrates automotive glass. This provides comprehensive protection against both visible and invisible signs of degradation.

3. Low Volatility

UV-928 exhibits minimal volatility during processing and in end-use conditions. This ensures that the additive remains within the polymer matrix rather than evaporating off during high-temperature operations.

4. Excellent Color Stability

One of the biggest concerns in automotive interiors is color retention. UV-928 has been shown to significantly reduce yellowing and fading in colored plastics, helping manufacturers maintain design consistency over time.

5. Good Processing Compatibility

It integrates well with various polymer systems commonly used in automotive interiors, such as polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Real-World Applications in Automotive Interior Components

UV-928 finds widespread use across a variety of interior components where UV resistance is crucial. Here are some of the most common applications:

Many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) now specify UV-928 as part of their material formulations to meet stringent durability standards.

Comparative Analysis: UV-928 vs Other Common UV Absorbers

There are several types of UV absorbers on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s compare UV-928 with some of the more commonly used alternatives.

From this comparison, it’s clear that UV-928 offers a balanced combination of broad UV coverage, long-term stability, and low volatility, making it ideal for demanding automotive applications.

Case Study: UV-928 in a Leading Automaker’s Interior Trim Line

A recent study conducted by a major Japanese automaker evaluated the performance of UV-928 in polypropylene-based interior trim components. The test involved exposing samples to accelerated weathering conditions simulating 5 years of outdoor exposure.

Results:

• Trim components with UV-928 showed no visible discoloration after 3,000 hours of UV exposure.
• Surface gloss retention was measured at 92%, compared to 67% in control samples without UV protection.
• Mechanical tensile strength remained stable within ±5%, whereas unprotected samples lost over 20% of their original strength.

The conclusion was clear: UV-928 provided superior protection that met and exceeded the company’s durability benchmarks.

Integration into Polymer Formulations: Dosage and Processing Tips

When incorporating UV-928 into polymer formulations, several factors should be considered to maximize its effectiveness:

• Dosage Level: Typically ranges between 0.1% to 1.0% by weight, depending on the polymer type and expected UV exposure levels.
• Processing Temperature: UV-928 is thermally stable up to 250°C, making it suitable for extrusion, injection molding, and thermoforming processes.
• Compatibility Testing: Always conduct compatibility tests with other additives such as antioxidants, flame retardants, and pigments to avoid unwanted interactions.
• Synergistic Use: Combining UV-928 with HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers) can enhance long-term performance by providing complementary protection mechanisms.

For best results, UV-928 is often added during the compounding stage to ensure uniform dispersion throughout the polymer matrix.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Safety and environmental impact are always important considerations in automotive materials. Fortunately, UV-928 has been extensively tested and found to meet global regulatory standards.

According to data from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the U.S. EPA, UV-928:

• Is not classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction.
• Has low acute toxicity via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes.
• Exhibits low bioaccumulation potential and is not persistent in the environment.

Additionally, since it’s typically used in very small quantities and remains embedded in the polymer matrix, there is minimal risk of leaching or release during normal product use.

Market Availability and Supplier Landscape

UV-928 is available from multiple global suppliers, including:

• BASF (Germany)
• Clariant (Switzerland)
• Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. (South Korea)
• Addivant (U.S.)
• Zhejiang J&Y Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. (China)

While pricing may vary based on region and supplier, UV-928 generally falls within the mid-range price bracket for high-performance UV absorbers, offering excellent value for its durability and performance benefits.

Future Outlook: UV-928 in Next-Gen Automotive Materials

As vehicles evolve toward electric platforms and lightweight materials, the demand for high-performance additives like UV-928 will only grow. With interiors becoming more tech-integrated and materials being pushed to their limits for weight reduction, protecting these components from UV-induced degradation becomes even more critical.

Moreover, consumer expectations around interior quality and longevity continue to rise. No one wants their $50,000 EV to look like it’s aged five years after only two. UV-928, with its proven track record and adaptability, is well-positioned to play a key role in the next generation of automotive design.

Conclusion: The Quiet Hero Behind Your Car’s Fresh Look

UV-928 may not be a household name, but it plays a vital role in keeping your car’s interior looking new for years. From dashboards to door panels, this unassuming compound stands guard against the sun’s relentless assault, ensuring that your ride stays stylish, functional, and safe.

Its combination of broad UV absorption, photostability, and compatibility with a wide range of polymers makes it a top choice for automotive engineers and material scientists alike. Whether you’re designing the next-generation luxury sedan or optimizing cost-effective trim components, UV-928 offers a reliable solution for maintaining interior durability in the face of nature’s toughest challenge: the sun.

So next time you slide into your car on a bright afternoon, take a moment to appreciate the invisible shield that’s working overtime to keep everything inside looking sharp. Because while you might not see UV-928, you’d definitely notice if it weren’t there. 😎🚗💨

References

1. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). "Benzotriazole Derivatives: Risk Assessment Reports." ECHA Publications, 2021.

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Chemical Fact Sheet: UV-928." EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, 2020.

3. Nakamura, K., et al. "Evaluation of UV Stabilizers in Polypropylene for Automotive Interior Applications." Polymer Degradation and Stability, vol. 145, 2017, pp. 112–120.

4. Kim, S.H., and Park, J.Y. "Photostability of Benzotriazole UV Absorbers in Automotive Polymers." Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 134, no. 22, 2017.

5. BASF Technical Data Sheet. "UV-928: High-Performance UV Absorber for Polymers." Ludwigshafen, Germany, 2022.

6. Clariant Product Information. "Hostavin® UV-928: UV Protection for Automotive Interiors." Muttenz, Switzerland, 2021.

7. Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. "UV-928 Product Specification Sheet." South Korea, 2023.

8. Addivant Additives Guide. "UV Light Stabilization in Automotive Plastics." Addivant USA, 2022.

9. Zhejiang J&Y Chemical Tech. "Technical Bulletin: UV-928 in Thermoplastic Applications." China, 2021.

10. ISO Standard 4892-3:2016. "Plastics – Methods of Exposure to Laboratory Light Sources – Part 3: Fluorescent UV Lamps."

If you’re interested in further reading or need specific formulation guidelines, feel free to reach out—we’ve got more where that came from! 😉

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