Silicones help make LEDs shine bright and last long.
Press Release Summary:
Suited for LEDs used in diverse applications, silicone materials retain high light transmittance and optical clarity as they resist effects of high temperatures and short-wavelength exposures. Each silicone-based material enables SMT assembly of LED devices using lead-free solder and can they be formulated to adhere to variety of substrates. Materials include moldable SR-7010 resin as well as EG-6301, OE-6336, and JCR 6175 LED-protecting encapsulants.
Original Press Release:
Dow Corning Lights Path in LED Market's Transition to Silicones
Launches Expanded Family of Silicones to Make LEDs Brighter and Last Longer
MIDLAND, Mich., May 23 -- Dow Corning Corporation has launched an expanded family of silicone materials for the fast-growing light emitting diode (LED) market. The product line introduction comes at a time when manufacturers are looking to silicones to provide brighter, longer-lasting LEDs in diverse applications, such as backlighting for mobile appliances and displays, cell phone camera flash, automotive interior and exterior lighting, and general illumination.
Building on the company's existing product line of gels, elastomers and resins, Dow Corning's newest products include three new LED-protecting encapsulants -- DOW CORNING(R) EG-6301, DOW CORNING(R) OE-6336, and DOW CORNING(R) JCR 6175 -- and a breakthrough new resin: DOW CORNING(R) SR-7010, a moldable material that combines the durability and transparency of a silicone to make hard discrete lenses and other components for LED applications. Each of these silicone-based materials enables surface mount assembly of LED devices using lead-free solder, a key environmental benefit. The products are the first to emerge from Dow Corning's new Light Management group, which the company launched to support emerging needs in the global photonics market.
"As new designs call for brighter, hotter and longer-lasting LEDs, and manufacturers adopt high-temperature lead-free assembly processes, we're seeing more and more companies turn to the power of silicone in applications where epoxies or COCs (cyclo olefin copolymers) were once the materials of choice," said Tom Cook, global industry executive director, Dow Corning. "Silicones are ideally matched to the demands of LED manufacturing -- they offer exceptional reliability due to their initial high light transmittance and optical clarity is retained because the materials resist the effects of high temperatures and short-wavelength exposures. In addition, the silicones can be formulated to adhere to a multitude of substrates, giving users wide latitude when it comes to creating new device designs.
"As the experts in silicones for 60 years, we're working hand-in-hand with customers and partners throughout the supply chain to optimize production processes and develop new materials that enable unprecedented LED applications."
The LED market is expected to see 10% compound annual growth over the next five years. With applications in mobile appliances, signs, displays, traffic signals, automobiles and general illumination, LEDs represented a $4.0 billion market in 2005, according to market researcher Strategies Unlimited.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning Corporation (http://www.dowcorning.com/electronics) is a globally integrated provider of materials, application technology and services, and is focused on providing innovative technology for all segments of the electronics industry. Dow Corning has development and applications centers strategically located throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. The centers offer advanced resources for electronics materials and services, and are staffed with experienced professionals who can provide technical support to customers locally. Dow Corning Corporation is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW). More than half of Dow Corning Corporation's sales are outside the United States.
CONTACT: Company: Don Piering of Dow Corning, +1-989-496-8972, don.piering@dowcorning.com; or Agency: Bruce Hokanson of Loomis Group, +1-360-574-4000, hokanson@loomisgroup.com
