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Case study

Makrolon® LED2245 EL (edge lighting) illuminates up EV-Rearlamp vision

Covestro's Makrolon® LED2245 EL is a pioneering polycarbonate material for automotive lighting design . It enables efficient, visually appealing slim edge lighting applications in rear lamps and others, addressing regulatory compliance while overcoming traditional material constraints.
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Task

Space-saving material solution thanks to edge-lighting 

Automotive designers and engineers face challenges balancing aesthetics, functionality, material limitations, and regulatory requirements. Traditional solutions often compromise design freedom, hindering sleek, slim, visually appealing systems. HASCO´s vision sought an innovative, space-saving solution for rear lights where the design posed heat resistance and flexibility challenges for some materials.

Challenge

Balancing Lighting Design, Optical Performance, and Regulatory Compliance

The challenge was finding a material meeting contradictory requirements: 

  • robustness against temperature within design and regulatory boundaries;
  • specific color when non-illuminated; 
  • yet high transparency, light-guiding properties and brightness, for homogeneous surface illumination when illuminated. 

The solution was to intelligently combine material properties and color-optical properties, ensuring optimal light distribution while meeting specified requirements.

Makrolon® LED2245 EL meets our requirements and enables the light design also in high temperatures without design changes.

Jason Yin

Materials Develop Manager, HASCO

Solution

Makrolon® LED – Surpassing Limitations with Functional Color Expertise

Through close collaboration with HASCO, Covestro developed an innovative functional color solution utilizing Makrolon® LED2245 EL polycarbonate. This advanced material enabled integrating the light source at the edge of the light distribution layer, facilitating a space-saving design with homogeneous surface illumination. The very low haze level allowed deep, transparent red coloration, ensuring regulatory compliance. Exhibiting exceptional temperature resistance, Makrolon® LED2245 EL maintained optimal optical performance under demanding conditions.

Hasco's rear lamp design showcases Makrolon's capability to deliver cutting-edge light-shaping solutions for automotive applications

Jan Helmig

Global Technical Marketing Manager Automotive Lighting, Covestro Deutschland AG

Key benefits

  • Light transmission & diffusion Excellent light transmission & diffusion ensure optimal distribution & uniformity for edge lighting.
  • Superior Thermal Management Higher heat deflection temp than PMMA, withstands ambient & LED heat better.
  • Increased Design Freedom Functional colors allow complex, sleek lighting design with hidden sources, boosting creativity.
  • Regulated Color Development Meets rear lamp coloration needs with desired red color lit & unlit, adhering to regulations & aesthetics.
  • Space-Saving compact and space-saving lighting solutions, contributing to overall vehicle design

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