What is Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp and What Does It Do?
While the pandemic process, which we have been affected by the whole world, brought a lot of new concepts and habits to our lives, it also led us to exaggerate our already existing habits from time to time. For example; The ultraviolet lamp, which we thought had just entered our lives, was actually a technology we used, albeit indirectly; however, we have become so dominant on the subject that we can even argue that the feature of the lamp we should use should be UV-C.
UVs, which have been actively used for a long time in the production phase of products in many sectors from electronic devices to furniture, automotive, lighting, glass production, for some reason, have come to mind only with the medical sector and disinfection processes recently.
What are Ultraviolet (UV) Rays?
Ultraviolet is a type of light energy from the sun. Also called ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet light is defined as a wavelength of nanometers (nm) at its source and classified accordingly, which means one billionth of a meter. The sun emits an energy defined as the electromagnetic spectrum. The shortest wavelength is the one with the most energy.
Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three categories;
- UV-A; It has radiation between 315-400 nm,
- UV-B; It has radiation between 280-315 nm,
- UV-C; It has radiation between 100-280 nm.
What is a UV Lamp?
A UV lamp is a device containing a low-pressure mercury lamp that emits ultraviolet rays. Low pressure UV lamps interact with low mercury vapor pressure (<10-2Pa) to emit ultraviolet light. The wave value varies between 10nm and 400nm.
How Ultraviolet Lamp Works and What Are Its Usage Areas?
Ultraviolet light passes between the electrodes in the lamp thanks to the electric current metal vapor. Electrons are emitted when cathodes (negative electric charge) collide with metal or gas atoms and raise their electrons to a higher energy level. After the collision with the reaction is completed, the electrons immediately begin to radiate as ultraviolet light energy. Gas and metal vapor in the lamp is also a determining factor in determining the spectrum of ultraviolet light energy. Ultraviolet lamps are produced from high quality quartz (high silicon dioxide containing high heat resistance) glass. Ultraviolet lamps have a working capacity of minimum 1000 hours and maximum 8000 hours.
It should not be forgotten that the life of the ultraviolet lamp is directly proportional to the correct use and maintenance period. It should be known that ultraviolet lamps, which are turned on and off frequently, will expire quickly, and if they are to continue to work at short intervals, it is recommended to leave them lit at low power. Ultraviolet lamps should not be touched with bare hands. Cleaning should be done with the help of a non-hard and lint-free cloth in order not to damage the ultraviolet lamp.
If the ultraviolet lamp is working in a machine (such as a drying oven), other components inside the machine must also be cleaned. Cleaning the fan in the machine will ensure that the ultraviolet lamp cools sufficiently without any problems, and it also ensures a long life. Regular maintenance and adjustment of the electronic control panel and transformer will enable the ultraviolet lamp to work efficiently and to dry effectively.
Ultraviolet lamps are mostly used for the curing of the ultraviolet adhesive (hardening of the adhesive with the catalyst). They are widely used for glass-glass, ceramic-glass, metal-glass bonding processes. During the curing of the resins of the parts produced in many industries, during the production of electronic circuit boards in the electronics industry, during the bonding of glass products produced in the furniture and decoration industry with glass and other materials, in the glass industry, the lighting industry and even in the solarium devices in beauty centers (those with wavelengths suitable for the intended use) ) are used.
As the Pulsar Kimya, we maintain and extend the life of your ultraviolet lamp and the device it is connected to with our product range of more than 1000 items, while offering solutions that are sensitive to human and environmental health with our adhesive and resin solutions used with ultraviolet lamps.
For detailed information, you can contact us via our contact page.