LED compatible materials for light engines
19 July 2016
DELO Industrial Adhesives LLC has tested and released 14 adhesives for use in LED lighting. Ten products have received approval for direct LED contact, and an additional four were certified for indirect contact. They allow for durable, high intensity LED modules and light engines.
The fourteen adhesives demonstrated their chemical tolerance in tests standard for the LED industry. The modules were supplied with 700mA for six weeks, which heated them up to 70°C. During the subsequent intensity test there was no decrease in brightness for the products meant for direct LED contact, and for those with indirect contact only a very slight decrease. The low-outgassing and yellowing resistant adhesives ensure the long-term high optical quality of the LED module.
DELO predominantly uses light curing epoxy resins for its LED compatible products. Compared with silicones, they are more stable and provide a better seal. Under some circumstances humidity can enter the LED and electronics when silicones are used, which shortens their service life. Light curing of epoxy resins and acrylates is also faster, making them more efficient to produce. Their temperature stability and flexibility means that they can withstand extreme heat, cold, and even vibrations. Also, their universal adhesion allows reliable and practically invisible connections of even the most complex geometries and material combinations.
Adhesives make the difference
Design and quality — two aspects that can be affected by the adhesive used — can make LED lamps stand out from the competition on the lighting market. Adhesive is typically used to fix lenses or reflectors and can also seal LED lamps into glass plates or housings. When module and lamp manufacturers employ LED compatible adhesives rather than the frequently used screw or plug connections, they achieve a better seal — which lowers the probability of a failure or decline in intensity.
