LED lighting designers and architects can now design new lighting applications with silicone optical resins, which have outstanding optical properties under high temperature. The properties of Dow Corning MS-1002 and Dow Corning MS-1003 Moldable Silicones allow them to be designed and injection molded into complex shapes, thicker and bigger parts, and even undercuts, which are difficult to create with currently available optical materials.
Applications include secondary optics (optical elements to diffuse, focus, and distribute light), light pipes, and light guides in LED lamps and luminaires. The combination of high temperature resistance, UV resistance, and non-yellowing effect can enhance lumen maintenance, which makes the materials ideally suited for indoor and outdoor lighting applications without risk of degradation. Because of their heat and photo stability, optics made with Dow Corning MS-1002 and Dow Corning MS-1003 Moldable Silicones can touch the LEDs without air gaps between LEDs and optics, overcoming typical issues of plastic-made optics.
Addressing the diverse needs of the complex lighting market, Dow Corning is developing multiple versions targeting specific designs and applications. The first two products in the new product family feature different hardness with the same optical properties:
- Dow Corning MS-1002 Moldable Silicone with 74 shore A hardness (harder)
- Dow Corning MS-1003 Moldable Silicone with 52 shore A hardness (softer)
Both materials exhibit good mold flow for excellent feature reproduction, and easy mixing with additives such as phosphor.
For more information, contact
Dow Corning Corp., P.O. Box 994, Midland, MI 48686. Phone: (800) 248-2481.
