Sheet of Eastman Chemical Company's Spectar® copolyester with a cap layer of Spectar UV® copolyester offers outdoor sign manufacturers a durable, cost-effective sign face material alternative to polycarbonate and impact-modified acrylics.

The material is tough enough for outdoor applications and offers excellent weatherability for long life. The UV cap layer is invisible yet prevents yellowing and embrittlement. Eastman has three years of actual outdoor weathering in Arizona and Florida and have completed numerous accelerated weathering tests, which indicate that sheet of Spectar copolyester with a cap layer of Spectar UV copolyester has the weathering characteristics to meet the demands of outdoor signs.

Many sign applications that do not require polycarbonate's durability can benefit from using this sheet. One significant advantage is the elimination of predrying the sheet. Due to lower thermoforming temperatures, there is less driving force for absorbed moisture to vaporize; therefore, there is no bubbling even without predrying. In some environments, polycarbonate sheet may require up to 12 hours of oven drying prior to thermoforming. This sheet requires only cleaning before decoating and forming.

The thermal properties of the copolyester allow thermoforming at lower temperatures. In addition, there is less off-gassing and less degradation of the vinyl with little or no color shift. With fewer costly mistakes, sign manufacturers can improve yields and energy.

For more information, contact Sharon Jones, Eastman Chemical Company, P.O. Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662-5371, 423-229-2045, FAX 423-224-0044, e-mail: spectara@ eastman.com.