08 April 2010

Ultraviolet Silicone Wristbands - It's MAGIC!


Ultraviolet Sensitive Wristbands have become increasingly more popular during this time of year. We have hundreds of requests for these especially since summertime is creeping up!

Many of our clients have asked us how these wristbands get their sensitivity and just “magically change” from beige to bluish purple. Well, we thought this would be a great way to answer this, explain the process and let you know what makes these Ultraviolet Wristbands so unique!

All of the wristbands manufactured by wristbands.net begin with 100%, latex free silicone. Silicone is commonly confused with the metallic alloy Silicon or Si as it is chemically referred to. Silicone is a polymer that includes silicon with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Silicone is most commonly used to manufacture household products and wristbands as it is durable, rubberband-like and heat resistant.

To get the wristbands to change color and make them ultraviolet sensitive we must use an ultraviolet powder derived from a natural mineral called Hardystonite. This mineral rock is crushed to a powder form and added to the silicone mixture. Silicone is naturally grayish white in color. The crushed Hardystonite is naturally white to beige. When the two are mixed, the result is a beige grey rubber wristband. In order to see the wristband change color, it must be exposed to ultraviolet light.

Ultraviolet light, or UV light, occurs naturally via the sun’s rays. The ozone layer protects us from most of the sun’s harmful UV rays, however they still peep through. This the most common source of UV light exposure. Additionally, UV lamps and black lights are sources of UV light as well.

When a custom ultraviolet silicone wristband from wristbands.net is exposed to the sunlight, this is where the “magic” occurs. The ultraviolet light charges the Hardystonite powder and there you have it; your custom ultra violet sensitive wristband changes from the beige white to a bluish purple! This color change does vary though. If the ultraviolet light is at its extreme, the result is a very deep purple so the change varies from beige with little to no exposure to a deep bluish purple at its most intense. This effect lasts quite a long time however, the more exposure your wristband has to ultraviolet light, the weaker the charge will become over time.

Our clients have found some very unique, custom messages and ways to use these ranging from science camps and dermatology clinics to sunscreen manufacturers where they serve as a reminder for people to reapply or come inside! Skin cancer awareness is raised through these rubber wristbands as well!

What is your application for your custom Ultraviolet Silicone Wristband?

3 comments:

  1. what are the stats on UV exposure in regards to the color changes i.e. how much uv does it take to make the color change.
    Thanks
    Jay

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    Replies
    1. As soon as our wristbands hit the sun the band darkens. The longer the exposure the darker the band becomes.

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