Why polycarbonate resins are the preferred choice in LED light design

Polycarbonate resins (PCs), a type of thermoplastic component used in the manufacturing of certain plastics, have gradually become the preferred choice for LED lenses, covers, tubes, pipes, diffusers and reflectors. 

Why?

Matt Donelan, market development director for Henkel North America, tackled this topic in a recent blog on the company’s website. According to Donelan, PC materials are the preferred choice because they offer several improvements over traditional polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and glass solutions. 

The benefits

Ruggedness: In the residential LED lighting market, PCs provide improved durability and impact resistance, and also outperform PMMA in flame retardancy and thermal resistance. Plus, PCs offer a unique combination of outstanding clarity and high impact strength.

Warm glow: Residential lighting is known as a “soft” light source. People are so accustomed to illumination from incandescent bulbs that they prefer an LED source that replicates the warm glow of these products without the harsh glare. With PCs, it’s easier to find the right balance between light diffusion and transmission without the need for secondary lenses or components. LEDs with PMMAs can offer that as well, but not without adding weight, complexity and cost to luminaire design. 

Resources for those working with PCs

Plastics are among the best candidates for adhesive bonding and sealing, especially when bonding or sealing to dissimilar materials like aluminum or painted/coated surfaces. Donelan explains that, generally, joining with adhesives will provide the strongest, lightest and most durable bond for plastic components. 

Henkel’s Design Guide for Bonding Plastics was developed to help customers achieve success in their bonding applications. The guide includes product information on more than 250 different plastics — including PCs (page 40) — as well as adhesive usage guidelines for joint design, surface preparation, processing guidelines and more.

For more information on bonding with plastics, contact the qualified team of experts at Henkel.

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