UV Protection for GameGuard Display Boxes
Light—especially ultraviolet (UV) light—causes cumulative, irreversible damage to cardboard, inks, and plastics. GameGuard offers multiple glazing options to balance clarity, cost, and conservation: Premium cast acrylic, 4.5–6.0 mm (examples: Outpost, Château, Flatpakke) and Gallery-grade UV-filter acrylic (example: Fortress).
Why UV Protection Matters
- UVC (200–290 nm): extremely energetic; normally blocked by ozone but present in germicidal lamps—rapidly damages plastics.
- UVB (290–315 nm): drives fast fading and embrittlement; a key agent of deterioration.
- UVA (315–400 nm): lower energy but always present; causes slow yellowing and fading over time.
Note: Wavelengths above ~395 nm are visible light (violet through red) that must pass so you can see your item. Visible light still causes very slow fading over long exposures, which is why museums also control brightness and exposure time.
Our Acrylic Options
Premium cast acrylic, 3.0–6.0 mm (examples: Outpost, Château, Flatpakke): Inherent PMMA properties provide near-total UVC/UVB blocking and substantial UVA reduction, with performance improving as thickness increases.
Gallery-grade UV-filter acrylic (example: Fortress): Engineered for conservation framing—blocks ~99% of UV across the conservation band (to ~380–390 nm) and is commonly specified against archival standards like ISO 18902.
Quick Comparison (Percent Blocked)
| Spectral band | What this means for displays | Standard Acrylic 3.0 mm |
Premium Cast Acrylic 4.5–6.0 mm (Outpost, Château, Flatpakke) |
Gallery-grade UV Acrylic (Fortress) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVC (200–290 nm) | Germicidal lamps; very destructive | ~100% blocked | ~100% blocked | ~100% blocked |
| UVB (290–315 nm) | Fast fading/embrittlement | ~99–100% blocked | ~99–100% blocked | ~100% blocked |
| Lower UVA (315–345 nm) | Fading & yellowing begins | 95–99% blocked | 97–99% blocked | ≈99% blocked |
| Upper UVA (345–395 nm) | The “leaky” band for standard PMMA | 35–60% blocked | 50–85% blocked (thickness-dependent) | ≈99% blocked |
| >395 nm (Visible) | Needed for viewing; can still cause very slow fading | ~8% blocked (≈92% passes) | ~8% blocked (≈92% passes) | ~2% blocked (>98% passes) |
Approximate ranges above are band-averaged from published PMMA transmission curves and conservation-grade glazing datasheets; actual results vary with exact sheet, thickness, and spectrum.
Pricing & Practical Guidance
- Premium cast acrylic (4.5–6.0 mm): practical for full collections (e.g., around $55 for a PC big-box size).
- Gallery-grade UV acrylic: material cost can be up to 10× higher (e.g., around $200 for the same size); best for grails or bright/public displays.
- Marketing claims to watch: unless a maker specifies “gallery/museum-grade” and states wavelengths blocked, “UV protection” usually means inherent UVC/UVB blocking that all acrylic already provides.
Beyond the Box: Best Practices
- Lighting: Use white LEDs (negligible UV). Avoid halogen and unfiltered fluorescent; if used, fit UV-blocking sleeves.
- Daylight: Keep direct sun off displays; apply UV-blocking window films and/or use blinds/curtains.
- Exposure time: Use dimmers, timers, or motion sensors to minimize total light dose.
- Benchmarks: Museums typically target ≤ 75 µW/lumen UV, ideally ≤ 10 µW/lumen at the object.
References & Further Reading
- Röhm ACRYLITE® — UV transmission of PMMA (spectral curves & explanation).
- Tru Vue — Conservation-grade UV-filter acrylic (≈99% UV block to ~380–390 nm).
- Canadian Conservation Institute (Government of Canada) — Agent of Deterioration: Light (UV & visible; risks and controls).
- Library of Congress — Preservation: Light exposure guidance.
- ISO 18902 — Imaging materials — Albums, framing, and storage materials.
- ISO 11799 — Information and documentation — Document storage requirements.
- CCAHA (Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts) — Exhibit lighting & UV guidance.
- NEDCC — Light, Heat, and Humidity (impacts on collections).
- U.S. National Park Service — Conserve O Grams (lighting & exhibit care).
- CIE 157:2004 — Control of Damage to Museum Objects by Optical Radiation.
- Canadian Conservation Institute — Ultraviolet Filters (window films, sleeves, glazing).
- World Health Organization — UV radiation Q&A (UVA/UVB/UVC overview).