Dow DOWSIL EI-2888 Primerless Silicone Encapsulant

The DOWSIL EI-2888 Primerless Silicone Encapsulant, from Dow, is an optically clear silicone for professional LED lighting that cures at room temperature.

The company’s silicone technology provides good optical performance and offers rheological properties for use with light fixtures in a variety of shapes and forms. Designed for explosion-proof and high ingress protection rated luminaires, the encapsulant does not contain platinum, unlike other silicone solutions currently available on the market.

The product is designed to eliminate a time-consuming processing step and reduce waste that can occur if curing is compromised by surface contaminants or moisture. The low-viscosity silicone also dispenses readily and adheres well without sacrificing optical properties. It is thus suitable for many professional applications, including explosion-proof lighting, outdoor displays, and flexible and rigid LED strips.

A two-part protective material with a 1:1 mix ratio, the encapsulant cures at room temperature with optional heat acceleration. The UL 94 compliant, 100% polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone provides even curing and is insensitive to inhibition, a typical issue for platinum catalysts; and material reversion, a traditional problem in enclosed spaces at high temperatures.

The product can be applied with automated static or dynamic metered mixing, manual mixing, or flow, pour or needle-dispensing equipment. The self-priming encapsulant adheres to a variety of substrates and supports the design of innovative LED luminaires in IP-rated enclosures.