vegaform Evolution extends the applications of vegaform products to streetlight and urban beautification products and is a development of vegaform that brings the possibility of deeper forming to this high reflectance product.
More ductile than the standard vegaform products, it is processed to give a soft temper, similar to the aluminium products normally used for deep drawn reflectors, but coated with the vegaform PVD reflection layers to provide significantly higher light output compared to the post anodized deep drawn reflectors.
As with standard vegaform, the high reflectance coatings are applied to flat sheet which is then pressed using standard or specially adapted production tools and procedures.
High reflectance properties are maintained by the special coating technology employed as are the coating adhesion and protection characteristics, including resistance to humidity and de-lamination, even after forming. vegaform Evolution has been developed within the Integrated Reflector Program (IRP).

Reflectivity

vegaform Evolution has a total reflectance of over 94% before pressing, but, due to stretching of the surface during the forming operation and the hard ceramic nature of the reflection coating, there is some change in the surface layers during the pressing operation that results in a slightly reduced reflectance, depending on the depth and shape of the die.
This will vary from point to point in a reflector depending on the degree of local deformation in the hollow reflector shape .
We have made detailed studies of the material behaviour and the influence of deformation on its reflectance in order to understand and define the process limits and apply this knowledge to every new reflector project.
For example, when subjected to a linear deformation of 7,5% vegaform Evolution surfaces show a total reflectance of over 90%, significantly higher than that of post-anodized material normally used for streetlight reflectors, and values of 93% have been recorded on less heavily deformed surfaces.
In a formed reflector made from non-specular material, a small difference in surface reflectance is magnified many times due to the multiple reflections that occur within the unit.
Consequently, even a moderate improvement in surface reflection given by vegaform Evolution gives a much greater improvement in total light output compared to normal post anodized reflectors.

Environmental tests

Temperature resistance

Panels of vegaform Evolution (V95080) have been held at a temperature of 250°C for 7 days and no reduction in reflectance values or change in visual appearance was observed. In the case of hard rolled products there is, of course, a softening of the aluminium but as vegaform Evolution is already produced in a softened condition it is not so affected.

Humidity tests

In pure humidity tests, at 100% humidity at 38°C (ISO 6270-1) without the presence of salt, the vegaform Evolution products show the same good resistance to deterioration as anodized aluminium. This has been confirmed by highly accelerated humidity tests with a condensing atmosphere wetting a panel at 90°C.

Salt spray test

The weather resistance of vegaform Evolution has been proved by standard accelerated tests in Almeco’s laboratories in Milan.
In Salt Spray testing (UNI EN ISO 9227 - ASTM B117), vacuum coated enhanced materials generally do not quite meet the high resistance standards achieved by pre or post anodized aluminium.
The resistance of vegaform Evolution is similar to that of normal Vega 95 and a typical vegaform Evolution reflector shows no significant deterioration in surface properties after exposure for 100 hrs in Neutral Salt Spray and little deterioration after 240 hrs.
vegaform Evolution is suggested for use in luminaires with a high IP rating.

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