All over the world the use of lighting systems with LED (light emitting diodes) technology is on the increase. They can be found in applications such as automobiles and living areas. With the requirements of LED lamp manufacturers particularly in mind, Lehmann&Voss& Co. has developed new thermally conductive plastics, which are used here as heat sinks and enclosures.
The latest materials are characterized by a specially adjusted thermal conductivity ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 W/mK, good strength figures, electrical insulation, white coloration and optional flame retardation, tested to UL94 V0. PET, PA 6 and PC are the base polymers. Thanks to the customized properties of the materials, the lamps achieve a higher performance and service life, while the good processing characteristics permit freedom in design and allow cost savings compared with other materials such as metals and ceramics.
“These new materials ideally complement our already very broad range of thermally conductive plastics and offer the opportunity for new innovative developments in the field of lighting,” says Thomas Collet, who has global responsibility for the product management of LUVOCOM® high-performance compounds. The existing product range already contains more than 70 thermally conductive compounds with customized properties based on additional polymers such as PA 6.6, PA 4.6, PBT, PPS, LCP and PEEK. Thermal conductivity values in excess of 30 W/mK can be achieved.
More information on thermally conductive compounds