Technical Information Lumogen F - BASF

1 Technical Information Lumogen F. TI/P 3201 e (9125) November 1997. = Registered trademark of basf Aktiengesellschaft Collector dyes Colorants and Graphic Systems Lumogen F. The ability of fluorescent dyes to re-emit absorbed light can be exploited to concentrate light. The Fluko fluorescence collector (Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft) consists of a crystal-clear plastics panel coloured by a fluorescent dye. The fluorescent radiation is transmitted by total internal reflection to the edges, from which it is beamed in concentrated form. A particularly interesting difference between Fluko and classical concentra- tors, i. e. mirrors and lenses, is that it can also compact diffuse, i.

2 E. scattered, light. There are numerous potential applications. Solar engineering Sufficient energy for powering small instruments, e. g. watches, pocket computers, electric displays, radios, chargers, etc. can be obtained by fitting solar cells at the edges of fluorescence collectors. Lighting Indirect illumination, markers and warning devices, e. g. in automotive engineering (these are particularly effective in murky weather and at nightfall). Photoconductors for Technical instruments. Advertising/design Signs, plotters, sport and recreational articles, toys, substitutes for neon tubes. Very severe demands are imposed on fluorescent dyes: great stability to light in the plastic concerned strong luminosity extremely high chroma readily incorporated in plastics high heat stability The Lumogen F dyes more than meet these demands and satisfy the Fluko specifications.

3 Product line Product Type of dye Colour Index Part 1 Part 2. Lumogen F Yellow 083 Perylene . Lumogen F Orange 240 Perylene . Lumogen F Red 300 Perylene . Lumogen F Violet 570 Naphtalimide Fluorescence . Brightener 331. 2. in PMMA in PMMA. Lumogen F Yellow 083 Lumogen F Orange 240. in PMMA in PMMA. Lumogen F Red 300 Lumogen F Violet 570. 3. Physical form Powder. Shelf life Practically unlimited if the products are stored in a dry place. Properties Mass density at 20 C Lumogen F Yellow 083 g/cm 3. Lumogen F Orange 240 g/cm 3. Lumogen F Red 300 g/cm 3. Lumogen F Violet 570 g/cm 3. Optical data Product Absorption Emission q max. (nm) q max.

4 (nm). in CH 2CI 2 in PMMA in CH 2Cl 2. Lumogen F Yellow 083 476 473 490. Lumogen F Orange 240 524 525 539. Lumogen F Red 300 578 578 613. Lumogen F Violet 570 378 374 413. Quantum yield Ф Lumogen F Yellow 083 > 85. Lumogen F Orange 240 > 90. Lumogen F Red 300 > 90. Lumogen F Violet 570 > 85. Solubility 20 C (g/l) Solvent Yellow Orange Red Violet 083 240 300 570. Acetone 2 10 5. Ethanol % < <1 <1 <1. Isopropyl alcohol < < <1 < Solvenon PM < 2 10 4. Ethyl acetate < 20 1. Butyl acetate 100 % < 30 5. Dimethylformamide 3 15 70 7. Mineral spirit < < <1 < Xylene <1 30 15. Toluene <1 <2 80 10. Benzyl alcohol 1 3 30 30. 4. Heat stability ( C) Product % %.

5 In PMMA in PC. Lumogen F Yellow 083 300 300. Lumogen F Orange 240 300 300. Lumogen F Red 300 300 300. Lumogen F Violet 570 300 300. Fastness to weathering % in PMMA injection-moulded swatches of 2 mm thickness. Residual fluorescence (%) after 80 days accelerated exposure in the Xenotest 1200: Lumogen F Yellow 083 > 90. Lumogen F Orange 240 > 85. Lumogen F Red 300 > 95. Lumogen F Violet 570 > 80 (after 60 days). The most suitable carrier material for Lumogen F dyes when outdoor exposure is involved is PMMA. However, the fastness to weathering can be impaired by foreign substances in the PMMA. Panels produced from PMMA monomer normally contain residual amounts of monomer and initiator.

6 It has been observed that they have much poorer fastness to weathering. If they are produced by casting, the tem- perature during curing must be controlled to ensure complete elimination of these residual monomers. This problem does not occur if the PMMA is injection moulded. It has been observed in outdoor exposure trials that the fluorescence is reversible in some cases. Thus it decreased somewhat during exposure in summer, but recovered again during the dark winter phase and almost attained its original value. Application In all crystal-clear plastics. Migration must be expected in plastics that contain butadiene and plasti- cizers or that are partially crystalline.

7 These are points that must be checked in any event if Lumogen F dyes are to be used in systems of this nature. Processing The dry dye powder is uniformly distributed on the plastics pellets, grit or powder in low-speed or high-speed mixers. As a rule, the dye adheres to the surface of the plastic as a result of electrostatic charging. It is advisable to homogenize the mixture thus obtained on an extruder before it is further processed. Metering The dye concentration required depends on the thickness of the plastic to be coloured. Normally, proportions of % suffice. The Lumogen F dyes can be supplied in the form of preparations for auto- matic metering.

8 The following product lines are available. Application Metering rate (%). Rakusol PS/PC/PMMA Sicostyren PS/PC Sicoversal X PMMA Sicoplast V PVC 5. Safety We know of no ill effects that could have resulted from using the Lumogen F dyes for the purpose for which they are intended and from processing them in accordance with current practice. According to the experience that we have gained up to now and other Information at our disposal, the Lumogen F dyes do not exert any harmful effects on health, provided that they are used properly, due attention is given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals, and the infor- mation and advice given in our Safety Data Sheets are observed.

9 Note The Information submitted in this publication is based on our current knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing and application, these data do not relieve processors of the responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do they imply any legally binding assurance of certain properties or of suit- ability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed. basf Aktiengesellschaft Marketing Farbmittel und Drucksysteme Printed in Germany 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany