From the luminous buttons to smart wearables, uncovering the technology behind the glowing silicone
I wonder if you have noticed such a scene: When you turn off the lights and watch TV at night, the buttons on the remote control actually emit a faint light on their own; the wristband of a friend's fitness tracker will glow softly in the dark; and even some phone cases will emit a faint light at night.
How are these glowing silicone products actually made?
Today, let's talk about the technology behind the glowing silicone.
Luminous silicone, with two "lighting methods"
First of all, it should be noted that "luminous silicone gel" actually falls into two completely different scenarios:
Type 1: Luminescence (luminous effect)
This product "absorbs light during the day" and "emits light at night". It doesn't require batteries or power supply. It relies on adding luminous powder (fluorescent powder) to the silicone. This type of product is the most common. Remote control buttons, luminous phone cases, and luminous wristbands all fall into this category.
Second type: Electrically luminescent (Electroluminescence)
This product requires power to light up. For example, embedding LED lights in the silicone, or making certain parts of the silicone into electroluminescent devices. Such products are mostly used in scenarios such as smart wearables and vehicle decorations.
How does the luminous silicone gel "emit light"?
The principle is actually quite simple.
Luminous powder is itself a type of light energy storage material. When exposed to light, it absorbs light energy and "stores" it. Once in a dark environment, it gradually releases the stored energy in the form of light.
To put it in simple terms, it is like a solar-powered power bank - charging during the day and discharging at night.
Mix this luminous powder evenly into the silicone raw material. After going through processes such as compounding and molding, the resulting product will have the luminous function. Because the luminous powder is directly mixed into the material itself rather than applied on the surface, the light emission effect is more lasting and it is less likely to fall off.
What colors does the luminous silicone have?
Many people think that there is only "green" color for bioluminescence.
Actually, that's not the case. The glow-in-the-dark powder comes in a variety of colors - yellow-green, blue-green, sky blue, purple, red, orange, and so on.
Different colors of luminous powder have different brightness and duration of illumination. Generally speaking, the yellow-green color has the highest brightness and the longest illumination time. In a completely dark environment, it can be visible to the naked eye for up to 8-12 hours. While the red and orange colors have relatively lower brightness.
You can choose based on the product's application: if you need high brightness and long-lasting illumination, go for the yellow-green color range; if you prefer a colorful appearance during the day and don't require high brightness, you can choose other colors.
Where are the glowing silicone materials used?
The application scenarios of glowing silicone are much broader than you might think:
·Remote control buttons: When turning off the lights to watch TV at night, the buttons will light up automatically, eliminating the need to search in the dark.
·Mobile phone case: Can quickly locate the phone in the dark, and has a high aesthetic quality.
·Smartwatch strap: Convenient for checking the time during nighttime workouts
· Toys and handicrafts: Toys that glow at night are particularly attractive to children
·Safety signs: Emergency exit signs, luminous indicator signs, etc.
·Car interior: Illuminated decorative elements in the vehicle interior at night
Some common questions asked by customers regarding glowing silicone gel
Question
How long can the light emission last?
Answer
This depends on the quality and amount of the luminous powder. Good luminous powder, after fully absorbing light, can continue to emit light for more than 8 hours in complete darkness. However, the brightness will gradually decrease and does not remain at its brightest state all the time.
Question
Will it glow forever?
Answer
The luminous powder itself has a lifespan and can generally emit light for many years. However, over time and through repeated absorption and release of light, the brightness of the emission will gradually decrease.
Question
Is luminous powder safe?
Answer
The regular luminous powder is non-toxic, harmless and non-radioactive, meeting environmental protection standards. It can be used in products such as toys and baby care items.
Question
Can it be made in any color?
Answer
OK. There are various colors available for the luminous powder. However, it should be noted that the brightness and duration of the light emission vary for different colors. If you have specific requirements, it is recommended to communicate with the factory in advance for confirmation.
Can Hongxiangda produce luminescent silicone?
Sure.
Hongxiangda has a complete production line for rubber processing, molding and surface treatment. If you need to customize luminous silicone products, we can control the entire process from the selection of luminous powder, the proportion of addition, the rubber processing and mixing, to the molding and shipment.
We have experienced technicians who know exactly how much glow-in-the-dark powder to add to what products, which color to use, and how to control the molding temperature - all of these are based on the "feel" accumulated over many years.
If you want to create a product made of glowing silicone, whether it's a remote control button, a phone case, or a smart wearable accessory, please come and talk to Hongxianda. With your ideas in hand, we will help you bring them to life.