A ray of light for architectural, commercial, industrial, outdoor and residential lighting markets

LAS VEGAS, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Since our ancestors discovered fire, the ability to light a dark space has captured our imagination. Today, lighting of interior and exterior spaces can impact our ability to see clearly and function well. Plastics are used to improve the optical quality for many products that help light our lives at work and home, including energy-saving LED bulbs, interior and exterior luminaires, backlighting and other lighting applications.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC works with architects, designers, engineers and lighting professionals to help bring these products to life by providing materials and expertise that offer light management functionality and enable impeccable design.

Bayer will highlight its robust selection of light- and thermal-managing polycarbonate plastics, films and sheet materials at its booth (#7936) during the LIGHTFAIR International trade show and conference June 3-5, in Las Vegas. Here is a sneak peek at the company's exhibit.

For LED lighting applications requiring high lumen efficiency, excellent light transmission and stability to heat – such as optics, lenses and enclosures – Makrolon^® LED2643 polycarbonate fits the bill. Additionally, Makrolon^® LED2643 polycarbonate is impact resistant, has a UL 94 flame class rating of V-2 at 0.75 mm, and is f1 rated for outdoor use (in accordance with UL 746C).

For manufacturers looking to replace aluminum in heatsink applications for LED replacement lamps and next-generation luminaires, Makrolon^® TC8030 polycarbonate plastic from Bayer is an excellent material choice. This thermally conductive polycarbonate grade provides corrosion resistance and increased design freedom. It has similar thermal properties when compared to aluminum but is able to reduce costs by eliminating assembly steps, improving production efficiency and reducing capital investments. Processed by injection molding, Makrolon^® TC8030 has a UL 94 flame class rating of V-0 at 2.0 mm and is f1 listed.

Another Bayer offering – Makrolon^® FR7087 polycarbonate – is an excellent choice for flame-retardant applications requiring clarity, including lenses, covers and electrical enclosures. Available in transparent and diffusion colors, Makrolon^® FR7087 plastic has a UL 94 flame rating of 5VA at 3.0 mm. This material was chosen by TerraGlo for the lens cover of its Alba Series luminaires, and by TerraLUX Illumination for the lens of its Line-Voltage Linear LED Light Engine.

Manufacturers in search of high-performance polycarbonate sheet need look no further than Makrolon^® Lumen XT polycarbonate sheet from Bayer. Among its wealth of properties, the sheet material carries a UL 94 V-2 flammability performance listing and resists high temperatures while providing outstanding, uniform LED light diffusion, minimizing hot spots while maximizing light transmission.

Makrolon^® Lumen XT sheet also offers flexibility, along with superior impact resistance, when compared with glass and acrylic in LED fixtures. Bayer developed this polycarbonate sheet product for use in diffusion lenses in LED lighting fixtures, and can be formed into a variety of shapes to meet application and design requirements. Makrolon^® Lumen XT sheet is utilized for interior LED and conventional lighting fixtures. For example, it is found in a major correctional facility and U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox baseball park) in the form of diffuser panels for new LED fixtures, and was even used in a recent art installation.

Bayer also offers several polycarbonate films formulated for lighting applications. Makrofol^® light management polycarbonate film grades (LM228, LM309, and LM905) are translucent materials filled with a light-scattering agent in combination with a surface texture. These properties translate into various combinations of transmission and diffusion in order to meet end users' light guidance and light reflection needs. Light diffusers for consumer goods and other backlight displays commonly utilize these film grades.

Makrofol^® LM903 polycarbonate film is a formable, opaque white extruded film that offers the very high light reflection properties needed for LCD and LED backlights and other reflector housing applications.

Visitors from around the world can drop by the Bayer booth (#7936) during LIGHTFAIR International to learn more about Bayer's materials for lighting applications and talk to Bayer experts.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2013 sales of 11.2 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience, a Bayer Group company, manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC polycarbonate material offerings for the lighting market, call 1-800-662-2927, email [email protected] or visit www.plastics.bayer.com.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC Makrolon^® polycarbonate sheet products, contact Sales at 800-254-1707 or visit www.sheffieldplastics.com.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC polycarbonate films, visit www.bayerfilms.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com . The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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SOURCE Bayer MaterialScience LLC