LED lighting designers and architects can start designing revolutionary new lighting applications with silicone optical resins which have outstanding optical properties under high temperature when compared to organics and can be easily molded into complex shapes, thicker and bigger parts, and even undercuts.

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 & 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.

Kaz Maruyama, Global Industry Director Dow Corning Lighting Solutions said: “As LED penetrates further into lamp and luminaire applications, lighting manufacturers are struggling to manage high heat emission from LED devices. Given their superior optical properties and excellent heat resistance, moldable optical silicone resins can be an attractive alternative to optical plastics.”

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 outstanding 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 like phosphor.

Dow Corning lighting experts support manufacturers to develop new secondary optics designs and to process moldable silicones, bringing the benefits of silicone technology to the lighting industry.