Dow Corning, a global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, is offering an exclusive look at Dow Corning® MS-3003 RP Moldable Silicone for LED lighting applications here at Light+Building 2014 (Booth A51, Hall 4.0). In the final stages of development, this optically clear, high-performance material aims to further extend the already outstanding thermal stability of Dow Corning’s Moldable Silicones portfolio to enable pre-mixing of remote phosphors used in two- and three-dimensional secondary optics. Combined with Dow Corning®MS-3003 RP Moldable Silicone’s excellent moldablility and fast cure rate, this could offer greatly expanded design options for consolidating optical and mechanical functions, while streamlining production vs. conventional materials.
“As the LED industry continues to push performance boundaries and compete against incumbent lighting technologies, it is seeking advanced new materials that can help enhance LED efficiency, reliability and value,” said Hugo da Silva, global industry director for LED Lighting at Dow Corning. “We are specifically developing MS-3003 RP Moldable Silicone to be optimized for pre-mixing with phosphors in order to help LED lighting designers meet these demands. This will enable simpler processing options for lamps and luminaires, and higher-performing and more reliable designs than previously possible.”
Phosphor materials are luminescent particles incorporated into liquid polymers and shaped into secondary optics to convert an LED’s narrow-band light into bright white illumination. However, a portion of that light energy is lost as heat during this process, necessitating the need for materials such as Dow Corning® MS-3003 RP Moldable Silicone, which can perform reliably at elevated temperatures where organic epoxies and plastics turn yellow and brittle. In addition, the material’s high thermal- and photo-stability allows for the design of optics able to maintain close proximity to the LED package.
Dow Corning® MS-3003 RP Moldable Silicone is a two-part silicone material designed to yield good mold flow and excellent reproduction of mold features. After premixing with phosphors, it can be injection molded into complicated geometric shapes, thicker or bigger parts and even undercuts that are difficult to achieve with organic optical materials.
Dow Corning experts will be on hand at Light+Building to discuss the breakthrough design possibilities of Moldable Silicone products, as well as other innovative materials from the company’s expanding portfolio of optical silicones for next-generation LED lighting. Light+Building is the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, lighting and technology. The event is held from March 30 to April 4, 2014 at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre.