Glow In The Dark Paint
Light up the Night with Luminescent Paints
Glow in the dark paint is so much fun. Of all the products that have the potential to bring a smile to the faces of children and adults alike, things that glow are bound to be at the top of the list.
The first commercial glow in the dark paint was introduced in the early 1970's as a novelty paint used to decorate your walls, toys, and model cars or airplanes. Prior to the 1970's, glow in the dark paint was used almost exclusively in military technology.
During World War I, this paint was used to assist pilots in reading their instrument panels during nighttime flights. Since then, it has been used in countless industrial applications. The aerospace and defense industries were rather keen on a product that would give them the ability to "see" in the dark. The oil and gas industry also began to use this paint on their rigs and in the refineries.
It has also found great success in the construction industry, where it is generally used to designate hazardous work areas. These paints are also regularly used in large office buildings, to help direct people to the emergency exits during emergency building evacuations.
One of the earliest forms of glow in the dark, or photo luminescent paint was highly radioactive as it contained a mixture of radium and a phosphor. At the time, the dangers of radioactive materials were not known. In this day and age, it is no secret that radioactive materials are dangerous and should be avoided.
The glow in the dark paint used today is not considered harmful in any way. We have all seen glow in the dark paints, but have you ever wondered how they actually work?
Glow in the dark products all contain something known as a phosphor. A phosphor is a substance that emanates visible light when it has been energized by a source of light or radiation. Most people are familiar with phosphors, as they can be found in both television and computer monitors. They are also found in florescent lights.
Glow in the dark paint is little more than a regular paint mixed with a phosphor. There are two main types of glow in the dark paint. The basic consumer type uses a base of zinc sulfide, while the industrial type uses a base of non-radioactive strontium.
Glow in the dark paint is also used in countless consumer products. Many timepiece manufacturers use glow in the dark paint on the faces and hands of their watches so the wearer can read the time in the dark. It is also commonly used in the manufacturing of fishing lures, in the hope that the lure will be more visible to fish.
Glow in the dark paint was once available in a green/yellow color only - times have changed. Chemists are now able to create glow in the dark paint in a wide variety of colors including aqua, blue, violet, red, orange, pink, yellow, and white. Contact your local arts and crafts store for more information about the fun that can be had with glow in the dark paint, or visit our Resources page.
