Polycarbonate provides performance in LED lighting

Sabic Innovative Plastics (Pittsfield, MA) is playing a key role in the conversion of incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) as global requirements for energy-efficient alternatives continue to tighten. The most recent example is the company's Lexan FXD polycarbonate (PC) resin employed by Osram to mold its new line of retrofit CFL candle bulbs.

Polycarbonate's optical and thermal attributes make it an ideal material for compact fluorescent lights.

Osram selected Lexan FXD for its Duluxstar Mini Candle series—which offers a much longer life and up to 80 percent lower energy consumption than conventional incandescent versions—on account of its performance, aesthetics and safety. The CFL sector is expanding rapidly as incandescent bulbs are phased out over the next two years in Europe, Canada, the UK, and the U.S. to reduce energy usage. A 20-watt CFL delivers the same light output as a 100-watt incandescent and lasts 10 times as long, on average.

"We identified an opportunity in the growing CFL market to supply high-quality retrofit bulbs in elegant, classic shapes," said Martin Bachler, head of product marketing, Osram GmbH. "Not only did Sabic Innovative Plastics develop a specialized grade of Lexan resin that met all our requirements for aesthetics and performance, but they also provided 10 custom color choices. What's more, they supplied local samples to our Chinese and European manufacturers for trials, enabling us to wrap up the process in just two months," he added.

Lexan FXD resin provides white color with a medium level of transparency and a high level of diffusion needed to achieve an inviting ambiance. The design flexibility provided by the resin also enabled Osram to create an elegant, classical design. Lexan FXD resin also provides high impact resistance to avoid breakage, excellent light transmission for optimal brightness, translucence to hide internal components and provide a soft, flattering effect, maximum light scattering capability, compliance with Glow Wire Ignition and ball pressure tests, and UL94 V2 rating up to 1.2 mm.

Sabic Innovative Plastics will be showcasing its expanding portfolio of high-performance materials for the LED industry at the K Show. Osram CFL candle bulbs, along with other new applications, will be highlighted. —immeditorial@cancom.com