Bright Idea: New Polycarbonate Grade from Bayer Can Replace Aluminum in LED Heat Sinks

Santa Clara, CA, February 09, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The light emitting diode (LED) market is booming as consumers switch from incandescent bulbs to more energy efficient LEDs. Lighting designers and manufacturers are looking for materials to help make the bulb transition a smooth one. Bayer MaterialScience LLC is launching a new grade of thermally conductive plastic to help lighting manufacturers meet consumer demand quickly and cost-effectively.

Makrolon® TC8030 polycarbonate, which joins a selection of heat-resistant Bayer plastics developed for LED applications, is targeted for use in LED heat sinks for replacement lamps or next-generation luminaires. Compared with aluminum, a common material in heat sinks, this grade of Makrolon offers similar thermal performance while helping reduce costs and enhance design freedom. Using this material can save costs by eliminating assembly steps, improving production efficiency and reducing capital investments. Because Makrolon TC8030 plastic is injection molded, it gives designers the freedom to create non-traditional shapes, use in-mold decoration and optimize joining techniques.

“Bayer is working continuously to provide innovative materials for lighting applications,” said Kevin Dunay, market segment leader, Electrical/Electronics (EE) Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “Being in front of market trends allows us to develop materials that meet the evolving needs of manufacturers and designers.”

This material has a preliminary UL 94 flame class rating of V-0 at 2.5 mm, with an official UL listing expected by the end of March 2012. It is currently available in a black color, but additional colors can be achieved through film insert molding or painting.

To demonstrate the benefits of Bayer’s new thermally conductive plastic, a demonstration lamp will be on display at Bayer’s booth (#502) during the Strategies in Light trade show, taking place February 7-9 in Santa Clara, Calif. The lamp is a functional PAR30 with a heat sink molded from Bayer’s new Makrolon TC8030 and a lens molded from Makrolon LED2643, a material with improved light transmission properties when using an LED light source. Makrolon LED2643 has a UL 94 flame class rating of V-2 at 1.5 mm and is f1 rated for outdoor use (in accordance with UL 746C).

To speak with experts from Bayer MaterialScience or to see other LED technologies, please visit Bayer’s booth #502 at Strategies in Light 2012.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,700 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2010 sales of 10.2 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

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