Luminous paint
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Luminous paint is paint that glows in the dark.
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[edit] Radioactive type
Radioactive isotopes are combined with a radioluminescent substance in the paint. The isotopes selected are typically strong emitters of fast electrons (beta radiation), preferred since this radiation will not penetrate an enclosure. This type was long used with radium for watches and aircraft instruments, but requires great care in application, maintenance and disposal to avoid creation of a hazardous condition.
[edit] Phosphoresent type
[edit] Visible light activated
Phosphorescent compounds, activated by previous exposure to light will continue to emit light for some time under dark conditions. This type has been used to mark escape paths in aircraft and for decorative use, such as "stars" applied to walls and ceilings.
Black light activated, Phosphorescent compounds can also be activated by invisible ultraviolet light and will glow with visible light when viewed in darkness.
[edit] See also
- Radium Girls are a group of women who painted watchfaces with radioactive luminous paints, most suffering adverse health effects from ingestion.
- Some luminous paint names include:
- Undark
- Lumi Brite, by Seiko.
- LumiNova crystals, by Lumink.
[edit] External links
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