Solidur®

The benefits of hermetic versus conventional LEDs

The challenge

Conventional LEDs are typically encapsulated using polymer sealing materials. They do little to protect the sensitive internal electronics. But the sealing points of LED lighting modules are of critical importance for the protection of the internal semiconductor components. Even after just one cycle in steam sterilization conditions, as required for medical and dental instruments, organic polymer materials can begin to break down. The weakened seal allows the potential for moisture permeation into the module, a fault that can lead to premature failure for the LED chip inside. This is why the use of standard LEDs is often impossible or extremely limited In applications with high humidity, heat, pressure, or aggressive chemicals, with additional protective housings that need to be designed around the light source.

The solution

Hermetically sealed LEDs represent an answer to the reliability challenge found, for example, in medical and dental applications. The vacuum-tight housings of SCHOTT Solidur® LEDs are made only of inorganic materials, such as metal, glass or ceramics – none of which age or break down over time. As such, the LED packaging offers long-term hermetic protection against moisture, temperature, mechanical impact and pressure and chemicals. The permanent connection of glass and metal therefore averts any danger of internal corrosion or contamination.

Reliability specifications of hermetic Solidur® LEDs

• Autoclaving: Proven functionality for
  • oils
  • Steam sterilization (2 bar; 134ºC)
• Temperature stability: > 260ºC
• Gas-tightness / Hermeticity: 1 x 10-8 mbar x l/s
• Electric insulation: up to 1 kΩ
• Chemical resistance: High
• Thermal shock stability: -65ºC to 150ºC for 15 cycles
• Refractive index of glass: 1.48-1.58
• Temperature conductivity: High, enabled by ceramic or copper material

Customized white light and color temperature