LED light sources have proven to be energy-saving, long-lasting and thus economical light sources and are widely used in buildings, vehicles and street lighting but what about LED lamps in extreme environments ?. Light guides, reflectors and diffusers as well as lenses must be designed to make the best possible use of the LED light.
Covestro has been developing a customised portfolio of transparent, translucent, reflective, but also thermally conductive and flame-retardant grades of polycarbonate plastic for this purpose for years. In this way, the company supports more sustainable lighting technologies, to which the International Day of Light on 16 May 2021 is dedicated.
LED lighting in swimming pools
The operation of LED lamps under water places special demands on the materials used. In cooperation with the Brazilian swimming pool equipment supplier Ecopyre Lighting, Covestro developed an integrated solution with the thermally conductive polycarbonate Makrolon® TC. It is characterized by high dimensional stability during manufacture and operation of the lamps and thus prevents the ingress of water (Ingress Protection, IP).
The letters “TC” in the type designation stand for “thermally conductive” and indicate that the plastic also has good thermal conductivity. This makes it suitable – just like the other types in the TC portfolio – for efficient thermal management in which the heat generated by the LEDs is well dissipated. In addition, the plastic meets the chemical resistance required for use in swimming pool water.
Lenses for explosion-proof LED lamps
The highly transparent product Makrolon® LED5302 is even suitable for lenses in explosion-protected lamps, as demonstrated by a recent case study with safety technology provider R. Stahl. The lamps comply with categories 2 and 3 (for zones 1 and 21 and 2 and 22 respectively) of the EU ATEX directives1 for industrial environments where highly explosive dust and gas atmospheres may occur during normal operation. These include oil platforms, refineries, but also certain chemical plants.
R. Stahl AG, a German trendsetter for safety technology in potentially explosive atmospheres, was looking for an optical material solution for LED safety lighting that could be used worldwide. The choice fell on the transparent plastic Makrolon® LED5302, which enables light-focusing optics and can be used at higher temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees Celsius.
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that allows efficient development and production of optical parts for LED-operated lamps. The different types of Makrolon® can be used by injection moulding and extrusion. Stronger and lighter than glass, polycarbonate also enables savings in energy and CO2 emissions.
1 EUR-Lex – 32014L0034 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports. These reports are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
About Covestro AG
With sales of €10.7 billion in 2020, Covestro is one of the world’s leading polymer companies. Its business focuses on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. Covestro is fully focused on the circular economy. The main customers are the automotive and transportation industries, the construction industry, the furniture and wood processing industries, and the electrical, electronics and household appliance industries. In addition, there are sectors such as sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. As of the end of 2020, Covestro produces at 33 sites worldwide and employs around 16,500 people (converted to full-time positions).