Advantages of sulphur-free rubber gaskets, such as peroxide-cured EPDM or silicone, in LED luminaire installations.

In recent years, LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology has grown significantly thanks to its energy efficiency and durability. For luminaire manufacturers, it is vitally important to consider which materials are used to make components such as the gaskets and washers built into LED luminaires. The sulphur found in most rubbers can cause damage and shorten the service life of the installations, so it is advisable not to use peroxide-cured EPDM gaskets in their manufacture.

Below, we briefly explain why rubbers containing sulphur should be avoided, and the advantages of using sulphur-free rubber gaskets, such as peroxide-cured EPDM and silicone in its various forms.

Effects of using sulphur-containing gaskets in LED lamp installations:

– Corrosion: the sulphur in some rubbers can react with LED lamp components, causing corrosion and damaging materials.
– Component degradation: sulphur can have an adverse effect on lamp components such as electrical contacts and heat sinks, reducing their efficiency and performance.
– Release of toxic gases: sulphur combined with other elements can produce toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide, which are harmful to human health and can affect the environment.

Advantages of using sulphur-free rubber gaskets:

– Corrosion resistance: sulphur-free rubbers such as peroxide-cured EPDM and silicone are highly resistant to corrosion, ensuring greater durability of LED luminaire installations.
– Compatibility with other materials: these rubbers are compatible with a wide range of materials used in LED lamp manufacturing, avoiding incompatibility issues and making assembly easier.
– Thermal stability: peroxide-cured EPDM and silicone offer excellent thermal stability, so gaskets made from these materials can withstand extreme temperatures without deforming or deteriorating.
– Electrical insulation: these rubbers provide excellent electrical insulation, which is crucial to maintaining the safety and performance of LED lamps.

Application examples:

   a) Gaskets for sealing LED luminaires:

Using rubbers containing sulphur in the gaskets and seals of LED lamps can lead to light leakage and a shorter service life. By contrast, sulphur-free rubber gaskets such as peroxide-cured EPDM or silicone ensure optimum sealing and greater resistance to ageing.

  b) Protective coverings:

Sulphur-free rubber gaskets are used as protective coverings in LED lamp installations to prevent corrosion and damage caused by exposure to moisture, chemicals or high temperatures.

   c) Electrical insulators:

Silicone gaskets in their various forms – solid, sponge or cellular – are widely used as electrical insulators in LED lamps. They provide high dielectric strength, thermal insulation and sealing, ensuring safe, fault-free performance.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right materials for LED lamp installations is essential to ensure their efficiency, durability and safety. Avoiding rubbers that contain sulphur and opting for sulphur-free rubbers such as peroxide-cured EPDM and silicone offers many advantages, including corrosion resistance, compatibility with other materials, thermal stability, sealing and electrical insulation. These materials ensure optimum sealing, protection against corrosion and safe performance of LED lamps. By using sulphur-free rubbers, we can improve the quality and service life of these installations while reducing negative impacts on health and the environment. It is essential that manufacturers, designers and end users take these advantages into account when selecting materials for their LED lamps, thereby promoting more efficient and sustainable use of this constantly growing technology.

At Manufactures Cusell we specialise in manufacturing solid silicone gaskets and sponge or cellular silicone gaskets, as well as cellular EPDM gaskets for the lighting industry, and our customers include the world’s leading manufacturers of outdoor luminaires.