An ideal alternative solution for metal replacement provides design freedom, enhanced thermal performance, weight reduction and manufacturing cost savings

PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, unveiled new Therma-Tech™ thermally conductive grades for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting applications this week at Chinaplas 2012 (booth N1F41). Replacing metal heat sinks with these new materials can enable parts consolidation and better management of hot spots, resulting in longer LED lifetimes as well as reduced weight, lower manufacturing costs, and improved in-service performance.

“Poor heat management dramatically reduces LED durability,” said Jeff Kong, marketing director, PolyOne Engineered Materials Asia. “Therma-Tech offers designers a unique solution for heat-sensitive applications like LEDs. Unlike metal and other thermoplastics, these polymer solutions enable heat to be distributed evenly throughout the part, eliminating hot spots and decreasing the overall temperature for longer LED life.”

These new grades combine the heat transfer of metals with the design freedom, excellent aesthetics, weight reduction and cost advantages of thermoplastics. Therma-Tech materials provide the benefits of proprietary conductive additive technologies and the performance of select engineering thermoplastic resins. Therma-Tech compounds have been shown to improve thermal conductivity by 50 to100 times that of conventional plastics, making them ideal thermal management solutions for LED lighting systems.

Industry experts estimate that 20% of electricity consumption globally can be attributed to lighting applications.

Increasing concerns over energy shortages are causing designers to turn to energy-saving LED lamps, previously used primarily in architectural and ambient lighting. LEDs have the potential to replace incandescent or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in a wide range of lighting devices. In order to support this trend, PolyOne has developed the new grades within its portfolio of Therma-Tech materials specifically for LED lighting applications.

Primary benefits of Therma-Tech compounds compared with fabricated metal include:
•    Reduced weight
•    Reduction of hot spots
•    Design flexibility, more complex shapes and outstanding aesthetics
•    Part consolidation, reduced assembly costs
•    Lower cost compared with machined metal components
•    Paint-free surface with inherent corrosion/oxidation resistance
•    Excellent electrical resistance
 
“China is the leading producer of LED lamps, while Europe is still leading the demand, so we are launching our new Therma-TechTM thermally conductive plastics for LED lighting applications first in these two regions,” said Eng Guan Soh, general manger, PolyOne Engineered Materials Asia. “Therma-Tech complements the PolyOne Sustainable Solutions portfolio in terms of resource efficiency.”

Therma-Tech compounds are also an ideal choice for applications across a number of markets, including electrical / electronics, transportation, and appliance. For more information about Therma-Tech thermally conductive plastics, please visit http://www.polyone.com/Therma-Tech.

About PolyOne
PolyOne Corporation, with 2011 revenues of $2.9 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. Headquartered outside Cleveland, Ohio USA, PolyOne has operations around the world. Consistent with the company’s strategy of specialty growth and global expansion, in December of 2011 PolyOne acquired ColorMatrix Group, Inc., a highly specialized company with a premier suite of additive technologies and a leading market position in liquid colorants. For additional information on PolyOne, visit our Web site at www.polyone.com.