Dow launches new mouldable optical silicone for automotive lights

Midland, Michigan – Dow has launched a new mouldable silicone material for adaptive driving beam (ADB) light guides in cars.

Silastic MS-5002 mouldable silicone is a specialised liquid silicone rubber (LSR) featuring very low mould fouling for faster cycle times and high-quality optics, said Dow in a statement 10 May.

With the trend for ADB headlights accelerating to mass production, Dow said its new material will meet the demand by optical matrix lens moulders who are looking to produce parts with higher throughput.

The material has been specifically formulated for injection moulded parts with less-complex geometries that require high-productivity manufacturing.

It also features high transparency and non-yellowing to maximise LED light output, and a wide processing window.

Compared to the incumbent product, Dow said, the new silicone material offers faster throughput, with four times more production cycles before mould cleaning is required.

In addition, the mouldable silicone advances sustainability by reducing weight compared to glass and plastic, and lowering energy requirements to produce each part.

This is the latest addition to Dow’s existing portfolio of mouldable optical materials for ADB headlights, which also include Silastic MS-1002, Silastic MS-1001 and Silastic MS-4002 mouldable silicone grades.