Two Super-Reflective Thermx® PCT Grades Meet Demanding Requirements for LED Lighting

“Ticona scientists have developed two high performance super-white grades of Thermx PCT that meet the challenging requirements of LED reflectors, especially for high brightness, medium-power LEDs,” said Ruth Castillo, Thermx PCT and Vectra® / Zenite® LCP global business director — Ticona. “Thermx PCT provides superior color and reflectance stability under heat and light compared to commonly used high temperature polyamides.”

Thermx LED 0201 and Thermx LED 0201S are fiber filled, super-white PCT compounds. They withstand the demanding LED requirements for reflector resins with regard to heat and light stability — high initial reflectance; high reflectance stability under heat and light; excellent silicone adhesion; excellent processability; excellent mechanical properties; surface mount technology reflow capability; and low moisture absorption. This LED product family meets the optical and mechanical properties as well as the process requirements for specific applications.

Thermx LED 0201 for Cost-effective LED Lighting:
•    Outstanding initial reflectance – super-white color and excellent surface quality
•    Superior reflectance stability under high heat and light exposure vs. high temperature polyamides
•    Higher silicone adhesion strength vs. high temperature polyamides
•    Excellent processability
•    Greater mechanical strength and flexibility vs. high temperature polyamides
•    Much lower moisture absorption vs. high temperature polyamides Thermx LED 0201S for More Demanding Applications (Flat Panel Screens)
•    Similar initial reflectance and reflectance stability to Thermx LED 0201
•    Higher break strain and impact strength

In addition to possessing the desirable chemical resistance, processability, and dimensional stability of engineering polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalates (PET) and polybutylene terephthalates (PBT), Thermx PCT provides added heat resistance, making it particularly well suited for demanding automotive and electrical/electronics applications.

This high-temperature polyester offers:
•    Lead-free solderable — short-term heat resistance up to 260°C
•    High continuous operating temperature
•    Excellent electrical performance
-    High CTI and arc resistance
-    High dielectric strength
-    Low dielectric constant
•    Same shrinkage as PBT
•    Good flowability
•    Chemical resistance to automotive fluids and printed circuit board cleaning chemicals
•    Excellent surface appearance
•    Excellent colorability

“These super-white Thermx PCT LED grades provide customers with much better reflectance stability than PA9T and PA6T nylons at high temperature,” Castillo said. “Now, they can mold reflectors with excellent surface characteristics that maintain UV and color stability, providing superior long-term performance.”

About Celanese and Ticona:
Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. With sales almost equally divided between North America, Europe and Asia, the company uses the full breadth of its global chemistry, technology and business expertise to create value for customers and the corporation. Celanese partners with customers to solve their most critical needs while making a positive impact on its communities and the world. Based in Dallas, Texas, Celanese employs approximately 7,600 employees worldwide and had 2012 net sales of $6.4 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.com
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, is part of the Advanced Engineered Materials segment with net sales of $1,261 million in fiscal 2012. It produces and markets a broad range of high performance products, and employs more than 1,500 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany, Brazil and China. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com or www.ticona.cn (Chinese language).