Glow sticks are commonly used light sources in night party decorations, night camps and emergency situations. Since, they are the single use translucent tubes and are required to stay functioning till the need is fulfilled; the durability of the light emitted by them becomes an important consideration while using them. Also durability of a product speaks for its quality. Hence, in order to buy good quality ones, factors affecting the durability of the product should also be considered.

In case of glow sticks, the light is emitted through a chemical reaction and not due to any external energy sources. Hence, the durability is associated with various factors of the stick and chemical used. Here are few factors which affect the durability of a glow stick.

Quality and amount of the chemical: Glow sticks work on the phenomenon of chemiluminescence, which involves couple of chemical reactions between the chemicals present in the stick. Hence, the quality of the chemical used in glow sticks is the primary factor on which the lifetime and the brightness of the light depend. The better the quality of chemical, the brighter and longer the glow stick glows. So, it’s always better to buy them from a well-known store.

Color and size: Of the various colored glow sticks, colors like green and yellow last for longer time and are hence used for emergency purposes. These are also considered as brightest colors followed by pink and red. Colors like aqua, blue, white and orange glow for shorter time.

Size also influences the durability of the light emitted. The longer the glow stick, the higher is the amount of chemical present and the longer it glows. Though the size matters, quality of the chemical is more important in deciding the durability.

Age of the stick: The older the glow stick gets, the dimmer will be its glow. And the colors which are originally dim become dimmer if their shelf life is increased.

Environmental conditions: The temperature of the surroundings definitely affects the durability of the glow sticks. Heat makes the chemical reaction faster and hence increases the brightness of the light. However, the brighter it glows, the shorter will be its glowing time.

In contrast to above situation, colder climate decreases the speed of chemical reaction, thus making the glow stick glow dimmer. But the dimmer glow sticks last long. So, if you want your glow stick to give light for longer period, simply freeze it.

Recycled plastic: Many glow stick manufacturers use recycled plastic, as it is less expensive. Thus they increase their profits even by selling them at cheaper rates. But usage of recycled plastic affects the durability of a glow stick. They can easily break and crack, which result in the leakage of the chemical. So, high quality branded glow sticks are always recommended.

These are the factors which affect the durability of glow sticks. Opt for high quality glow sticks from reputed manufacturers as they will be durable.