The excellent life span of LED Lighting is well-known. They often have five to ten times or more the life span of the lamps that they replace. Now, advances in the use of polycarbonate (PC) resins for covers, lenses, and reflectors stand to further complement the longevity of LEDs. This is particularly true of their use in outdoor applications, where storms, vandalism, etc. can threaten such luminaries.
The competing materials, glass and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), have a couple of limitations. The obvious one is the breakability of glass. The other is the inability of PMMA to meet stringent UL94 V0 requirements.
Light Transmission
Polycarbonate resins with improved light transmission qualities are now able to offer 90-92 percent transmission, which is now competitive with PMMA. Lower-grade light transmission is a deal-breaker in many potential LED lighting applications. Also, improved clarity PCs are capable of offering high impact resistance while simultaneously meeting UL’s tough requirements for both flame retardancy and weatherability.
Heat Aging
The growing use of High Brightness (HB) LEDs is focusing more attention on the ability of components to resist heat stress. A new generation of PCs promise success in handling long-term exposure to temperates of 110-130 degrees C. HB LEDs already generate temperatures of 80-90 degrees C, and this will likely go higher as units grow smaller
Brightness vs. Energy Consumption
The effectiveness of PC lenses in focusing light exactly where it is needed bodes well in the ongoing effort to use less energy to light a given area. The goal — make good use of every lumen produced. PC qualities facilitate the fabrication of more efficient reflector shapes.
Flexibility In Fabrication
Polycarbonates can be fabricated in more ways than glass. Extrusion, blow molding, and injection molding are all options. Color can be molded right in and very complex shapes are viable as well. Thin-wall construction is another potential advantage.
Combine the right mix of LED types, rebates, and tax credits, and such lighting can offer whiter light more evenly distributed. Relumination can assess your potential projects and help you to find the highest quality, most cost-effective solutions. Please contact us today.