If you’re considering purchasing neon signs in Chandler and Phoenix, you may be wondering how this type of sign works. Illuminated signs are a great way to attract customers in the evening hours and provide your company with an eye-catching way to deliver its message. Keep reading to learn how neon signs are made.
The Basics
Neon light signs are constructed out of glass tubes that are shaped into words or graphics. These tubes are then filled with inert gases—in other words, non-reactive chemical gases. An electric current is then made to flow through the glass tubes. That’s when the magic happens. Once the electric current meets the electrodes held in the tubes, electrons flow through the glass. This process makes the atoms inside the tubes glow, giving off a bright colored light.
Glowing Colors
The color of the glowing light depends on the type of gas contained in the glass tubes. Argon gas, one of the noble gases, appears as a cold blue color when it is contained in clear glass tubes. In contrast, neon gas gives off a red color. For a wider range of colored lights, the glass tubes can be coated with fluorescent powders in different colors. For example, a yellow tube can be combined with argon gas to produce a green light, while the same tube used with neon gas would give off an orange light.
Glass Tubes
The glass tubes used in neon signs are shaped with a glass blowing technique. Rather than using straight tubes to form the letters, long tubes are bent into letter-like shapes or other images. Then, the tubes are attached to neon electrodes. This is done by fusing them together using a propane hand torch and blowing tube. Finally, the tube is attached to a pumping system that sucks the air out of the tube and fills it with the chosen inert gas. The gas is then sealed inside the tube by closing the electrode off.