AEROXIDE® in lighting

AEROXIDE^® fumed alumina from Evonik play a critical component in modern, energy efficient lighting systems, such as LED or fluorescent lighting.

Protective layer

Without fumed aluminum oxide, small amounts of mercury continuously penetrate into the layer of fluorescent material and into the glass tube. This causes the tube to turn gray over time. This graying affects efficiency as well as light yield: First, the mercury that is required to produce the UV radiation is reduced. Secondly, as the tube turns gray, it absorbs more of the visible light, increasing the transformation of light into heat. A layer of AEROXIDE^® aluminum oxide acts as an effective mercury barrier.

Selective UV filter

To maximize the effectiveness of fluorescent lamps, all of the UV light that is generated needs to be converted into visible light. The use of AEROXIDE^® fumed aluminum oxide as a selective UV reflector provides an effective solution by reflecting UV light back allowing another chance for luminescence.

Inorganic binder

The adhesion of fluorescent materials to one another and to the glass surface is inherently poor because both, the fluorescent materials and the glass surface usually have a negative surface charge. Evonik’s AEROXIDE^® Alumina product range, has a positive surface charge therefore functions effectively as an inorganic binder.