The LED light source is energy-saving and durable, which makes it an economical light source and is widely used in buildings, vehicles and street lighting. The light guide plate, reflector, diffuser and lens must be designed to ensure the best use of LED light.
Covestro has spent several years developing customized combinations of transparent, translucent, reflective, thermally conductive and flame-retardant polycarbonate plastics to meet these needs. In this way, the company is supporting more sustainable lighting technologies and bringing new applications to the "International Day of Light" on May 16.
1. Thermally conductive polycarbonate Makrolon® TC-LED lighting for swimming pools
LED lights running in water have special requirements for related materials. In cooperation with Brazilian swimming pool equipment supplier Ecopyre Lighting, Covestro developed a comprehensive solution using thermally conductive polycarbonate Makrolon® TC. It is characterized by high dimensional stability during the manufacturing and operation of the lamp, thereby preventing water ingress (water ingress protection or IP).
The letter "TC" in the model number stands for "thermal conductivity", indicating that the plastic also has good thermal conductivity. This makes it an ideal choice for efficient thermal management-just like the other types in the TC product portfolio, where the heat generated by the LED is well dissipated. In addition, the plastic meets the chemical resistance requirements for use in swimming pool water. 2. Highly transparent polycarbonate Makrolon® LED 5302-lens for explosion-proof LED light
The highly transparent product Makrolon® is even suitable for the lens of explosion-proof lamps, as evidenced by a recent case study with safety technology supplier R. Stahl. These lamps comply with the EU ATEX Directive 1, category 2 and category 3 (used in Zone 1 and 21, or Zone 2 and 22), and are suitable for industrial environments where high explosive dust and gaseous environments may occur during normal operation. These environments include oil platforms, oil refineries, and certain chemical plants.
R. Stahl AG is a leader in security technology in potentially explosive environments in Germany. It is looking for an optical material solution for LED security lighting that can be used globally. It was finally decided to use the transparent plastic Makrolon®, which can achieve optical focusing and is suitable for high temperatures of 60 to 85°C.
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that can effectively develop and produce optical components for LED powered lamps. Various Makrolon® types can be used for injection molding and extrusion. Polycarbonate is stronger and lighter than glass, and it also helps save energy and carbon dioxide emissions.