Synthetic lights

Synthetics are a type of organic material that is built up from quite large molecules created from synthesis (a reaction that causes the creation of a new compound) of raw resources. These resources react with covalent and ionic compounds, and create a-morph or crystal particles. There are some issues with the spelling of the word synthetic. A lot of people wrongly spell it as 'sinthetic', but that is a common mistake to make. The correct spelling of the word is indeed 'synthetic'.

Synthetics are, generally, all chemical reactions that have been created by non-natural chemical processes. In daily life, the term 'synthetic' gets often (incorrectly) used for plastic: an organic polymer.

There are three types of synthetics. These are:

·         Thermoplastics: Synthetics that are exceptionally sensitive to temperatures, they will therefore melt when they get in touch with heating. They will also dissolve or weaken down when you put them in a dissolving solution. Examples of thermoplastic synthetics are PVC and polycarbonate.

·         Thermo-hardeners: Synthetics that are less sensitive to temperature, they will not melt or burn when encountering high temperatures (or will struggle to), but will dissolve either way. Examples of thermo-hardened synthetics are MF and PUR.

·         Elastomers: Synthetics that consist out of both thermo-hardeners and thermoplastics. These synthetics become elastic when used in room temperatures, and will become soft when you heat them up. Examples of elastomer synthetics are natural rubber and isoprene rubber.

Sometimes, synthetics can become strengthened. This is mainly done by incorporating glass fibre, but you can also use new types of synthetic fibres such as Kevlar, Twaron and Dyneema. 

Synthetic lights and other applications

Synthetics have a large area of applications. Nowadays, synthetics are often used for clothing, packages, products and as a construction material. Synthetics such as epoxy are often used as finishing touches for floors. PVC is used often when making windowsills and windowpanes. PVC is an excellent synthetic to use in combination with weakening materials, and is therefore perfectly suited to mix with virtually any other substance with either their very own physical traits. These traits ensure PVC is a very interesting construction material. Think of the application of synthetic outdoor lights, a trend we are spotting more and more nowadays. Synthetic is also very well resistant to all sorts of weather influences.

Thermoplastics are often used in packaging. These are created in many different sizes and shapes. A couple of examples are:

·         Blown shapes (such as those recipients for milk or juice in supermarkets)

·         Hose pouring (such as ice trays)

·         Extrusion (such as tubes and profiles)

·         Vacuum shapes (such as flower pots and coffee mugs)

·         Rotation pouring (such as a slide for kids)

PVC is often used for the production of synthetic windowsills. These windowsills become recycled after their use, after which the synthetic gravel is used for the production of synthetic soil- and water applications such as dams and partitions.

Thermo-hardeners are synthetics that remain hard when encountering hot temperatures. An advantage might be that it is harder to produce, and quite awful to recycle. Thermo-hardeners are often used in doors, but also torchlights that have to function in high temperatures.

Below you will find our entire selection of synthetic lights that are made out of synthetics, but also lights of which part is synthetic and part is made from another material. Both the material and colour are specified on the page of the light itself.