On a midsummer afternoon, street lightboxes remain bright and new under the scorching sun, while ordinary plastic panels have long turned yellow and brittle in the same environment. What kind of anti-aging secrets are hidden in these lightbox panels that face the sun "head-on" every day? A deeper exploration reveals that their "sun protection and preservation" ability stems from special material selection and modification technologies.

The anti-aging ability of lightbox panels lies in the selection of base materials and modification technologies. Outdoor lightbox panels need to cope with three major challenges: ultraviolet radiation, sudden temperature changes, and wind and rain erosion. Ordinary glass or plastic cannot withstand such an "all-round attack". At present, there are two main types of mainstream lightbox panel materials: acrylic panels and polycarbonate panels (PC panels), which have become "Iron Man" against sun damage through special processing.

Acrylic panels, also known as organic glass, have good light transmittance, but untreated acrylic will gradually turn yellow under long-term ultraviolet radiation. Nowadays, lightbox acrylic panels are added with ultraviolet absorbers. This chemical substance can, like "sunscreen", preferentially absorb ultraviolet rays in the sun to avoid damaging the molecular structure of the material. Experimental comparisons show that ordinary acrylic panels show obvious yellowing after 3 months in simulated exposure tests, while the panels added with ultraviolet absorbers still maintain a light transmittance of more than 85% after 12 months of testing.

Polycarbonate panels are known for their "toughness". Their impact resistance is 250 times that of ordinary glass, making them more suitable for installation in crowded or windy outdoor environments. To enhance anti-aging ability, manufacturers will cover a layer of UV coating on the surface of PC panels. This transparent film is like putting "protective armor" on the panels, which can not only reflect part of the ultraviolet rays but also prevent moisture and pollutants from infiltrating into the panels. In rainy areas in the south, the service life of such PC panels with UV coating can reach 5-8 years, which is more than double that of ordinary materials.

In addition to base materials and coatings, production processes also affect the anti-aging performance of lightbox panels. Today's advanced co-extrusion technology can closely combine anti-ultraviolet materials with the base material to form a uniform protective layer, avoiding the coating peeling problem that is easy to occur in traditional spraying processes. At the same time, by adjusting the molecular structure in the material formula, the panel can also be made not easy to deform at high temperatures and maintain toughness at low temperatures, adapting to the climate conditions in different regions.

It is worth noting that although these special materials endow lightbox panels with strong anti-aging ability, regular maintenance is still important. Dust accumulation will affect light transmittance, and oil stains may accelerate material aging. Timely cleaning can keep the lightbox in good condition. With the deepening of environmental protection concepts, recyclable anti-aging materials have now appeared, making lightboxes more environmentally friendly while "protecting against the sun".

From street shop lightboxes to bus stop advertising screens, behind these seemingly ordinary panels lies the wisdom of materials science. It is these anti-aging special materials that allow lightboxes to stand firm in wind, sun and rain, adding a lasting bright color to the city.