What is the luminous material on the watch? Origin from where?

The watch uses luminous material that makes it easy to see the time in the dark. So what is luminous material? Originated from where? Let’s find out with Tnhelearning.edu.vn in the article below!

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What is the luminous material on the watch?

Luminous is a chemical compound that emits light without the need for an electrical source of energy . The light from the luminous is cold light without heat.

Luminous lights are made by absorbing external light or by self-luminous by chemical reactions from within.

The light from the luminous will gradually decrease over time , in order for the luminous to return, it must re-absorb external light or maintain a continuous chemical reaction .

Luminous substances are applied on watches in the form of paint or in small tubes . In natural light, you will see luminous bands of color , usually white coated on the hands, dial, outer ring of the watch, … these color bands in the dark will glow to help you Easy time tracking. Luminous color when glowing will depend on each manufacturer.

Luminous on the watch is a very important application , especially for diving watches, military watches, football watches, … helping users save time and manipulate hands when just glance Your eyes can see the time without having to press the button to turn on the backlight.

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to improve luminous materials to be safer , more beautiful and last as long as possible.

Today’s popular luminous compounds

The first luminous compound used for watches was radium radioactive luminescent material, but due to its toxic nature and dangerous to users, it was banned . Currently, there are two luminescent substances used on watches: Tritium and Phosphorus .

1. Tritium

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of the hydrogen atom , used since 1968 to replace the banned radium, which is safer than radium.

Tritium is used on watches as follows: Phosphorus and tritium are mixed in tubular numerals. The chemical reaction between these two substances produces light that helps the dials that contain it to light up.

Tritium has a very long continuous glow time, averaging 12 years, sometimes up to 25 years depending on the manufacturer’s know-how. Light from tritium has many beautiful colors based on the coating on the outside of the dial and is often used on diving watches, military watches, … watches that require to be in the dark for long periods of time. .

2. Phosphor light

If you already know the phenomenon of phosphorus being oxidized to produce light called phosphorescence, the same is true for phosphorescence. The name “phosphorescent” refers to substances that glow in the dark without burning .

Phosphorus is often used on watches that are not in constant darkness because phosphors need to “charge” under bright light in order to remain luminous.

Although the luminous time is not as long as that of tritium, phosphorescent gives stronger light, is safe for users and does not pollute the environment.

Depending on the type of color and the number of layers of phosphor coated on the watch, the light emitted will be different.

The usual formula for phosphorescence:

Chemical compound of transition metal or rare earth + active substance from a substrate.

In there:

The substrate can be oxides, sulfides, selenides, silicates of zinc, cadmium, manganese, aluminum, silicon, or rare earth metals.

– The active ingredients can be metals such as copper, silver, aluminum, zinc to help increase the luminous time.

The two most common compounds for phosphors in watches are Strontium Aluminate(SrAl2O4) and zinc sulfide(ZnS).

The most common phosphors on watches today are SuperLumiNova, LumiBrite, Nautilite, NoctiLumina. These phosphors have the same formula as Strontium Aluminate + metal compound combined with sulfide substrate.

SuperLumiNova

This is a phosphorescent compound invented by the company Nemoto (Japan) in 1993. Its light is very strong, it only needs to absorb light (natural and artificial) to charge energy and has an inorganic reserve. end.

LumiBrite

Compound LumiBrite is the proprietary phosphor of Seiko , Japan. This material only needs to be charged for 10 minutes under strong light, the luminous time lasts from 3-5 hours, LimiBrite also has an endless energy reserve.

The above article introduces you to a brief overview of the luminous substance on the watch, hoping to help you better understand your watch!