SABIC releases Lexan grades for consumer electronics and LED lighting
03 April 2012
SABIC’s Innovative Plastics has announced new additions to its portfolio of Lexan polycarbonate (PC) materials: Lexan CFR (clear flame retardant) copolymer and three new Lexan LUX resin grades. Lexan CFR copolymer addresses consumer electronics and appliance manufacturer demand for a clear, sustainable flame retardant material, and the new Lexan LUX resins are suitable for light emitting diode applications such as light guides and lenses.
Consumer electronics and appliances continue to shrink in size and thickness, calling for new materials that can provide excellent flame retardant (FR) performance at ever-thinner gauges. For example, covers for notebook computers are typically 1.5mm, and tablet covers are even thinner at 0.8-1.2mm. Lexan CFR advanced copolymer fills a market need by giving consumer electronics and appliance manufacturers a clear material with superior flame resistance at very thin gauges, enabling customers to create the next generation of thinner, lighter-weight products.
Lexan CFR copolymer complies with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 94 V-0 standard down to 1.0 mm and the UL 94 5VA standard at 3.0 mm. This transparent resin provides a non-brominated, non-chlorinated, non-phosphate, non-Teflon® FR that complies with major environmental protocols like Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and TCO99 International, making this product a viable alternative for those seeking sustainable solutions.
Meanwhile, efforts to raise the continuous operating temperature of LED lights for increased light output are placing new demands on plastics used in these applications. Long-term color stability and retention of light transmission performance under the influences of heat and light are becoming more critical. The Lexan LUX resin portfolio, which includes the three new transparent grades plus three others designed for covers of LED bulbs and tubes, addresses this challenge.
The new Lexan LUX grades (LUX2110T, LUX2010T and LUX2910T resins) utilise new technology that offers improved initial colour, colour stability and light transmission during heat aging compared with standard PC. The grades retain more than 98 percent of initial light transmission when exposed to a temperature of 130 °C for more than 5,000 hours. At more typical heat exposure in the range of 90-110 °C, the transmission retained is even higher. They also provide improved light transmission after heat aging at low wavelengths typical of LED systems.
For additional information on SABIC’s Lexan PC grades, click here. For technical product inquiries, click here.
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