Optical Application

The clarity of a material can be evaluated using different properties: percentage of light transmission, refractive index, percentage of haze ,Abbe number, and yellowness index. In assessing the optical quality of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) vs. glass based on these metrics, optical LSRs are superior in all except haze and yellowness index, where glass has better values. Overall, the optical properties of a modified optical LSR, are generally better than PC and PMMA polymers, and glass as well.

Silicones offers an array of potential solutions for a variety of applications, including:

  • LED
  • Displays and projectors
  • Optics and Lighting
  • Solar Energy

Fusce ultricies Property
Opitcal LSR PC
PMMA Glass
Properties of optical clarity, 2mm
Transmission (%)
94 86-94
89-92 92
Properties of optical clarity, 2mm
Index of refraction (RI)
1.41
1.59
1.49
1.5 ~ 1.6
Properties of optical clarity, 2mm
Haze(%)
<1
1-3
2-4
-
Properties of optical clarity, 2mm
Abbe number
50
34
57
39 ~ 59
Properties of optical clarity, 2mm
Yellowness index
<1
1.0 ~ 3.0
1.0 ~ 3.0
-
Durability
Heat Resistance
Excellent
Poor
Poor
Excellent
Durability
UV Resistance
Excellent
Poor
Good
Excellent
Design Freedom
Complex/micro design Excellent
Good
Good
Poor
Design Freedom
Material Flexibility
Excellent
Poor
Poor
Poor
Design Freedom
Light weight design
Excellent
Good
Good
Poor