| SleeveLight™ FAQs |
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Q. What is SleeveLight™? A. SleeveLight™ is a photoluminescent marking device designed to slide over a variety of objects including tracks, chains, ropes, lines, rods, and other items to mark their location in low-light areas. It is molded from a tough, water-resistant, industrial polyurethane material. It absorbs sunlight, fluorescent, incandescent or ultraviolet light, charging in a few minutes and then releasing a greenish glow for many hours after becoming fully charged. Q. Would SleeveLight™ interfere with aircrew, or flight deck crew night vision while on the flight deck or cause a distraction in PriFly, on the bridge or for the LSO? A. No. SleeveLight’s “glow” for marking the tie-down chains would only be clearly visible from approximately 25 feet. Previous testing during night carrier operations with photoluminescent paint on E-2C rotating propellers (now adapted throughout the fleet and visible from approximately 100 feet) did not interfere with E-2C aircrew situational awareness (SA), nor did it distract other aircrew, LSO, PriFly, or bridge personnel. Q. Will photoluminescent illumination negatively impact the effectiveness of aircrew using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs)? A. Previous testing during night carrier operations with photoluminescent paint on E-2C propellers (now adapted throughout the fleet) indicated that there were no negative impacts during night vision goggle (NVG) operations. A February 2009 informal NVG test confirmed that the light emitted by SleeveLight™ and other AfterGlow® brand photoluminescent materials was compatible with the latest version of Infantry Monocular NVG, the AN/PVS-14. Testing was conducted in a darkened room and showed that the light emitted from the photoluminescent material did not interfere with the operator’s vision while in use. In other words, it did not “bloom,” cause temporary blindness, or restrict the night vision of the goggles in any way, at all distances tested, which ranged from approximately 1 foot to 14 feet. To the naked eye, the charged photoluminescent material glowed in the dark as advertised. With the NVGs, the glow disappeared and the material appeared the typical light green. Earlier testing with AN/AVS 6 Aviator NVGs resulted in the same conclusion. Q. Can the amount of photoluminescent pigment be increased/decreased to make the SleeveLight™ more or less luminous? A. Yes. However, increases in the amount of pigment raise costs. Q. Could a damaged SleeveLight™ result in FOD damage to an aircraft? A. Highly unlikely. The product ingredients and construction method produces a solid polyurethane form (similar to a hardened rubberized material) that will not break or shatter. SleeveLight™ photoluminescent markers have been rigorously tested and have kept their form. Q. Has SleeveLight™ been subjected to U.S. Navy testing (e.g., heat resistance, reactions to oil, grease, jet fuel, etc.)? Does SleeveLight™ meet MIL-SPECs? A. SleeveLight™ is made from a high-performance polyurethane material. The maker of that material has certified that the material from which SleeveLight™ is made meets or exceeds all properties for Class 1 polyurethane elastomer materials as set forth in MIL-DTL-83397B. MIL-DTL-83397B invokes:
SleeveLight’s specified hardness of 83-85 Shore A puts it in the Class I Category (80±5) of MIL-DTL-83397B. Specific tests performed on the SleeveLight™ material include:
ASTM D2632 - Bashore Rebound Test was not conducted since Anchor™ is designed for a static application; rebound should play no part in product performance. These are not bumpers so hysteresis and deformation should be of no concern. Q. Can SleeveLight™ be cleaned? A. Yes. SleeveLight can be cleaned with any ‘cleaner-friendly’ solutions (e.g., soap/water, 409, detergent, citrus-based cleaners, etc.) and will not lose its photoluminescencent qualities. Q. Would wear and tear inside SleeveLight™ where the chain passes through cause it to become loose and have a tendency to not maintain a desired position on the chain? A. Highly improbable. The urethane mold has maintained its form during rigorous testing and the lubricant used to install it (typically liquid soap) will evaporate or wash out and keep it tightly in place. If SleeveLight™ needs to be moved along the chain for any reason, such as inspection of the chain, just squirt some more liquid soap onto the chain and it can be moved. Q. How is SleeveLight™ installed on a Navy aircraft tiedown chain? A. It only requires a few simple steps:
Q. Does SleeveLight™ affect the design and/or breaking strength (10,000 lbs) of the chain? A. No. SleeveLight™ is not molded to the chain nor does it interfere with the design of the chain. Q. Will SleeveLight™ allow maintenance personnel to physically and visually inspect every link on the chain? A. Yes. SleeveLight™ is movable and allows physical and visual inspections throughout the length of the chain. Q. Can SleeveLight™ be molded in different sizes and shapes? A. Yes. SleeveLight™ can be molded to fit many sizes of objects including tracks, chains, ropes, lines, rods, and other items. The size must be big enough to allow adequate interior space, so as to provide adequate strength to prevent tearing or cracking when pulled over the object and to accommodate up/down mobility. Q. Will SleeveLight™ slide down (free fall) the chain when the chain is engaged (tied-down) from an aircraft or equipment to the deck? A. No. Due to the physical nature of SleeveLight’s design and material, it will fit snugly over the chain and stay in place. Q. What is the shelf-life of SleeveLight™? A. If stored in a closed cardboard box or opaque bag, SleeveLight™ should have an indefinite shelf life. Q. Will SleeveLight™ work in shipboard environmental conditions? A. SleeveLight™ will perform well in cold weather and hot, whether it’s wet or dry, and in high or low humidity. Q. Where can I purchase the SleeveLight™? A. SleeveLight™ is available online through AfterGlowDirect.com. |