GE’s New InvisiSil* Encapsulants and Lens Materials Improve LED Performance, Longevity, and Light Transmission

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY — November 28, 2005 — The use of optoelectronics, particularly light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is rapidly expanding into a wide array of products, from mobile phones and handheld computers to automotive instrumentation, large screen flat panel display backlights, traffic signals, signage and illumination lighting. Expanded usage, coupled with the requirements of next-generation optoelectronics that are hotter and brighter, are driving demand for new materials that can extend the lifecycle and provide higher performance. GE - Advanced Materials, Silicones has introduced a new family of transparent encapsulants and lens materials for optoelectronics applications.

GE’s InvisiSil* encapsulants offer superior long-term durability vs. conventional epoxy resins which can cause device failure in as few as 1,000 hours. InvisiSil encapsulants offer excellent adhesion to a range of case and electrode materials including ceramics, polyamides, and silver and gold electrodes. InvisiSil encapsulants offer high transmittance and high refractive indexes from 1.4 to over 1.5. With their stability under thermal stress and UV light, these materials help to extend the useful life and increase the reliability of devices by resisting yellowing and delamination from the substrate that often occur with epoxy–based materials.

GE’s InvisiSil lens materials are high hardness silicone materials that can be liquid injection molded, provide excellent resistance to heat and UV light, and are also offered in high refractive indexes. These materials are excellent candidates for LED lenses, camera flash lens, and light diffusing lenses where performance and molding productivity is required. These silicones lens offer both improved heat stability plus ease of molding relative to conventional lens materials such as acrylics, polycarbonates, and glass lenses. Silicone lenses also survive in lead free reflow conditions.

“Optoelectronics is a huge market with some applications, like ultra high brightness LEDs, growing at over 70 percent per year. Silicones bring some unique properties and play a critical role in this market” said Manabu Sato, GE’s Global RTV Marketing Leader. “The exceptional stability of silicone under harsh operating conditions such as high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation, make them a great material of choice for LEDs. GE has developed a wide array of encapsulants and lens materials to meet the various requirements of different applications and have been specified by numerous leading optoelectronic companies. Our InvisiSil silicones can help LED manufacturers deliver products with improved performance and longer life.”

For additional information on GE’s new InvisiSil encapsulants and lens materials, please contact Keiji Kabeta at keiji.kabeta@ge.com.

Reader enquiries

GE Bayer Silicones
Building V7
51368 Leverkusen
Germany
+49 214 304 0532
robert.scheib@​ge.com
www.geadvancedmaterials.com

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Notes for editors

GE - Advanced Materials

The Advanced Materials business of General Electric Company is part of the Industrial business group and is headquartered in Wilton, Conn. Comprised of Silicones and Quartz, GE - Advanced Materials is a global leader in providing a range of high-technology materials solutions. The GE - Advanced Materials, Silicones’ portfolio includes silicone-based products and technology platforms, silanes, sealants and adhesives. The Quartz portfolio includes high-purity fused quartz and ceramics materials. These materials solutions are used as springboards for innovation in hundreds of consumer and industrial applications ranging from car engines to biomedical devices to integrated circuits. Markets served include aerospace, agriculture, appliances, automotive, construction, electronics, furniture and furnishings, healthcare, home care, industrial, lighting, packaging, personal care, plastics, semiconductor, telecommunications, tire, transportation, and water purification. As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to a successful Games. Experience more at www.geadvancedmaterials.com.

GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work – a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

*InvisiSil is a trademark of General Electric Company.