Tel: +86 139 0589 5606
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Tel: +86 139 0589 5606
E-mail:info@globri.com
The luminous duration of photoluminescent signs depends on the raw materials used for fabrication. Inorganic self-luminous signs and organic self-luminous roll material signs can glow for more than 10 hours, while photoluminescent film signs only glow for approximately one hour. Many merchants claim their products feature an 8–12 hour luminous period. However, after field deployment, the signs lose clear guiding capability within merely 1–2 hours, resulting in failed project acceptance and ineffective safety warnings. As an experienced manufacturer of photoluminescent signs, we can clearly state that the luminous duration of photoluminescent signs is fundamentally determined by their raw materials. Starting from material properties, Shiming Optics Technology comprehensively analyzes the actual luminous performance and underlying principles of mainstream photoluminescent signs.
Whether organic or inorganic photoluminescent signs, their photoluminescent layer absorbs light under ambient natural light or artificial lighting before emitting light autonomously in dark environments. The luminous layer of inorganic photoluminescent signs is fabricated from rare earth aluminate and a variety of inorganic minerals, proportionally mixed and sintered and fused at temperatures of over 1000°C. For the luminous layer of organic photoluminescent signs, some are composites of high-molecular organic resin and long-afterglow luminescent powder, achieving Class B1 fire resistance; others are made by coating thin films with long-afterglow luminescent powder via adhesive bonding, and this type falls into combustible materials.
Material Composition & Manufacturing Process Manufactured using multiple inorganic minerals and rare earth aluminate as raw materials, integrally fused and formed at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. The product features a dense three-layer structure from top to bottom: high-density crystalline glaze layer + 4mm thick light-storing luminous layer + 10mm carrier layer. It is integrally sintered rather than equipped with an external coating applied on the surface.
Measured Effective Luminous Duration After sufficient one-time light absorption, the effective visible duration in dark environments is ≥10 hours, fully meeting the guiding requirements throughout the night. Under normal working conditions without external damage, the service life exceeds 15 years for outdoor applications and matches the service life of buildings for indoor use, with no obvious attenuation in luminous duration and brightness.
Advantages of Inorganic Photoluminescent Signs The all-inorganic material endows the product with high hardness, wear resistance, resistance to high and low temperatures, corrosion resistance, UV resistance and water immersion resistance. It is free from natural aging and attenuation. Its luminous curve declines gently each time without abrupt failure, enabling unlimited repeated use.
Material Composition & Manufacturing Process Organic self-luminous roll materials are flexible rolls produced by compounding long-afterglow luminescent powder with high-molecular organic resin substrates, reaching Class B1 fire resistance. They are widely used for indoor signs in fire emergency evacuation scenarios. A special wear-resistant protective layer is added to the surface to greatly improve wear performance, and a highly stable adhesive backing is attached to the bottom for simple and convenient installation.
Measured Effective Luminous Duration Under standard dry indoor conditions, the effective visible luminous duration is ≥10 hours, fully complying with fire acceptance specifications. When exposed to long-term outdoor sunlight, the resin will gradually yellow and age, and luminous duration will decay progressively. Therefore, it is not recommended for outdoor applications.
Ordinary photoluminescent films and light-storing films belong to this category. They have the lowest market entry threshold and the lowest price, and are the main products with falsely marked luminous duration. They are combustible materials, and burning drips may trigger secondary combustion.
Material Composition & Manufacturing Process Using ultra-thin PET/PP plastic film as the base, acrylic adhesive mixed with light-storing powder is coated on a single surface and dried. There is no wear-resistant protective layer, and the powder is only shallowly attached to the film surface.
Measured Effective Luminous Duration For brand-new products, the effective visible luminous duration is only about 1 hour with extremely fast attenuation; the safety guiding function is basically lost after 2 hours. If used outdoors, the coating will age and peel off within 3–6 months, completely losing luminous performance.
Acrylic luminous plates are plastic-based photoluminescent materials, mostly used for simple decoration. As combustible materials, they are often mistakenly adopted for safety signs.
Material Composition & Manufacturing Process Acrylic plastic pellets are used as the matrix and mixed with light-storing powder, then melted at high temperature, extruded and calendered for shaping. The powder is physically mixed with the substrate, and the uniformity of dispersion is largely limited by the production process.
Measured Effective Luminous Duration New products feature high initial brightness but decay rapidly, with an effective visible luminous duration of approximately 2–3 hours. Acrylic materials have poor weather resistance and tend to yellow and embrittle under prolonged illumination, so outdoor use is not recommended.
In essence, the luminous duration of photoluminescent signs is not a fixed promotional figure, but a direct reflection of material performance. The material system determines the upper limit of luminous duration and long-term stability. During procurement, do not be misled by nominal total luminous duration. Evaluate product performance based on material nature, select materials matching application scenarios, and request samples for actual testing if necessary. This helps avoid traps of false parameter marking and select long-lasting photoluminescent signs that truly meet safety requirements.
