What is Macro-Venting?

Macro-venting pertains to the use of high air permeable, liquid repelling membranes to allow pressure and/or temperature differences between the inside and outside of automobile headlamps to equalize quickly and efficiently, preventing the bulb and/or the housing itself from developing fissures and malfunctioning.   While effective in many applications, Oxyphen has found that these membranes are most highly affective for use in automotive headlamps, as well as other exterior automotive venting applications. They enable a rapid air exchange that adjusts the humidity inside the housing to the surrounding housing while blocking contamination from dust, dirt, and debris, as well as avoiding condensation or freezing effects.

What is special about macro-venting?  When there is a variance in relative humidity or temperature between the outside and the inside of the headlight housing, such that the external temperature is lower than the interior of the housing, condensation will usually occur inside. If the car is not in operation the headlamps can clear once the external temperature rises, enabling the condensate to evaporate. However, once the automotive is moving with the headlamps on, this again creates an imbalance in the temperatures not only between the outside and inside of the housing, but also within the housing itself creating pressure build ups. It is important to remember that equalizing pressures, reducing condensation and blocking dust, dirt, and other contaminants are required in order to preserve the clarity, brilliance and longevity of exterior automotive lighting. By addressing both the external environmental conditions and the affect they have with the internal lighting processes, the clarity and brilliance of the headlamps are maintained. This is critical for the performance and life of the headlamp, as well as for driver and pedestrian safety when driving between dusk to dawn, as visibility is greatly diminished during these dark driving times.

Oxyphen automotive fiber-based membrane vents easily and reliably protects all types of exterior automotive lighting. Our membrane’s high airflow enhances pressure equalization when applied over vents located at the back, bottom and top of lighting assemblies. By enhancing the air exchange, the heat and pressure buildup inside the light assembly is reduced and vapor moisture is moved out of the assembly – helping to prevent seal failure, condensation, and fogging.