UV radiation in everyday life and technology

Artificially generated UV radiation is used for a variety of training, work and analysis processes, for disinfection and also in art.

Curing

Artificial UV radiation is used for curing special materials such as drying special printing inks, curing paints or adhesives, hardening optical glass, modeling artificial fingernails or repairing laminated glass.

Analysis

UV radiation is also used in analytical methods in medicine and research, for example to determine fat layers at friction points between two objects or to determine the tin side of so-called float glass in the photovoltaic industry.

Application in chemistry

In chemistry, UV radiation is used in the synthesis and decomposition of various substances such as the chlorine-free bleaching of cellulose or for water treatment in swimming pools.

Application in electronics

Artificially generated UV radiation is used in electronics in the manufacture of microelectronic components and circuits as well as corresponding devices - for example in the manufacture of conductor tracks on printed circuit boards or integrated circuits.

Material testing

As part of material testing, UV radiation is used, for example, to detect cracks or defects in glass surfaces, to check oil hoses for defects, to inspect overhead line and high-voltage systems, to test the load-bearing capacity of materials or to detect hairline cracks in thin metals.

Training

Artificially generated UV radiation can also be used for training purposes. For example, it can be used to visualize the correct application of skin protection products or hand disinfectants by marking substances in these products with fluorescent dyes. These dyes are stimulated to light up by UV radiation.

Art

UV-A radiation, also known colloquially as "black light", is also used in art for show effects (keyword: black light theater) and in discotheques. UV-A radiation excites fluorescent substances (e.g. optical brighteners in detergents for white cotton fabric, fluorescent dyes, white pigments or minerals) to glow.