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20 February 2024

What are emergency luminaires?

Plastic, Electrical

Emergency luminaires are common in commercial, industrial and residential spaces as they provide back-up lighting in the event of a power failure.

Due to the high demands placed on emergency luminaires, the material used in their manufacture must meet stringent requirements for their functionality in times of emergency.

In addition, it is important to look for quality materials that comply with safety regulations and standards. 

Technical materials: Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a technical material commonly used in the lighting sector because it has durability and strength properties that make it very useful in industrial and engineering applications:

  • Impact resistance: offers excellent impact resistance. Suitable for applications where durability and impact protection are required.

  • Resistance to extreme conditions (UV, temperatures, etc.): tolerance to high temperatures, which extends its range of applications compared to other plastics.

  • Corrosion resistant: suitable for certain applications where a material that can withstand corrosive agents is required.

  • Lightweight: the use of engineering plastics provides lightness to components with special requirements.

  • Transparency: ideal for applications where visibility or light transmission is required.

Polycarbonate is a versatile material that offers protection for emergency lights and makes them suitable for demanding environments. 

In addition, its corrosion resistance makes it a durable choice for extreme conditions.

Polycarbonate injection moulding: Important considerations

Here are some of the important considerations when working with polycarbonate injection moulded parts:

  • Temperature and Pressure: Polycarbonate requires precise control of temperature and pressure during the injection process. If the temperature is not adequate, parts with defects will be produced. Pressure must also be carefully controlled to ensure that the material is injected evenly into the mould.

  • Moisture Control: Polycarbonate is sensitive to moisture, which can cause problems during the injection process. Prior to injection, the material must be properly dried to prevent bubbles or defects in the parts.

  • Mould Design: The mould design for polycarbonate injection moulding must consider the unique properties of the material, such as shrinkage and thermal expansion. Improper mould design can result in parts with deformities or defects.

  • Injection Speed: The speed at which the polycarbonate is injected into the mould is critical to avoid problems such as flow marks or premature mould wear. The speed must be controlled to ensure uniform distribution of the material.

In addition to all the above considerations, it is crucial to ensure an optimal aesthetic finish. 

As these luminaires are required to be installed, it is of utmost importance that they look good.

At OSF we have extensive experience in the injection of a wide variety of Polycarbonates, knowing very well the peculiarities of the processing to obtain optimal pieces for their use and compliance with the requirements demanded.

In addition, this experience OSF Plastic has allowed us to optimize the injection process, reducing handling and labour, as well as guaranteeing process stability that ensures consistency and avoids deviations in the final product.