Electromagnetica components made with LATI's LATICONTHER 62 GR/70 thermally conductive compound to improve heat dissipation and electrical safety
Electrical & Electronic, Thermally conductive
Electrical & Electronic, Thermally conductivebyadmin

The Challenge of Thermal Management in High-Power LEDs

The evolution of LED lighting systems has led to the creation of increasingly powerful and compact devices, capable of replacing traditional sources in industrial, public, and architectural settings.
Among the most widespread technologies, COB (Chip On Board) LEDs stand out, combining multiple diodes on a single substrate to achieve intense and uniform light emission.

The advantages are evident — high luminous density, fewer components, and greater optical efficiency — but thermal management becomes a crucial challenge.
LED junction temperatures can reach 150°C, and overheating significantly reduces the device’s lifespan.

Traditionally, heat sinks are made of aluminum or metal alloys, but today thermally conductive compounds for LED offer an innovative and sustainable alternative, combining high thermal performance with lightness and design freedom.

COB LEDs and Technopolymer Heat Sinks: the Electromagnetica Case

The Romanian company Electromagnetica, specializing in electrical and lighting equipment, has experimented with a cutting-edge solution for the CASTOR 2M industrial projector, equipped with two COB LED modules for a total power of about 70 W.

The objective was to ensure:

  • Operational reliability up to 45°C ambient temperature,
  • Passive cooling in natural convection,
  • Thermal and mechanical stability of the lighting body,
    without resorting to metal heat sinks.

The solution was found in LATICONTHER 62 GR/70, a PA6-based thermally conductive compound loaded with 70% graphite, developed by LATI Industria Termoplastici.

LATICONTHER 62 GR/70: Superior Thermal Performance

The thermally conductive compound for LED chosen by Electromagnetica ensures an optimal balance between conductivity, resistance, and processability.

Main Technical Characteristics:

  • Thermal conductivity: up to 10 W/m·K, stable even at high temperatures.
  • Conductive filler: 70% selected graphite with high purity.
  • Thermal stability: continuous operation from -30°C to +100°C.
  • Density: about half that of aluminum, with significant weight reduction.
  • Low shrinkage and high dimensional stability, ideal for mechanical assembly.
  • Compatibility with painting processes and surface finishing.

Laboratory measurements confirmed a real thermal efficiency up to 10 W/m·K, independent of the orientation of graphite flakes, with performance significantly superior to competing compounds.

Thermal Design and Geometric Optimization

The success of the CASTOR 2M project required accurate thermal design.
Engineers optimized:

  • base thickness of the heat sink,
  • shape and pitch of the fins,
  • thermal interface between PCB and technopolymer body.

This way, it was possible to maintain the LED junction temperature below 80°C, ensuring a minimum luminous flux of 8000 lumens and extended operational life.

Comparison of Heat Sink Materials

Property Aluminum Metal alloys LATICONTHER 62 GR/70
Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) 237 150 10
Density (g/cm³) 2.7 3.0 1.3
Workability Machining Casting or die-casting Injection molding
Thermal capacity Medium Medium High
Relative weight 100% 110% 50%
Unit cost Medium High Competitive

In addition to efficiently dissipating heat, the plastic compound allows for functional integration of components, reducing the number of parts to be assembled and simplifying production.

Efficiency and Sustainability

Besides the technical advantages, the use of a thermally conductive compound for LED allows:

  • Reduction of the overall product weight, useful for transport and installation.
  • Elimination of corrosion, thanks to the non-metallic nature of the material.
  • Possibility of recycling or energy recovery of the product at the end of its life.
  • Greater design freedom, with complex shapes difficult to achieve in metals.

The result is a lightweight, efficient IP65 projector with a high-level aesthetic finish, cataphoretically painted directly on the technopolymer.

Contact Us

👉 Discover the LATICONTHER range of thermally conductive compounds for LED and heat dissipation applications.
Explore the technical data on www.lati.com or request a consultation for your industrial lighting project.

FAQ – Thermally Conductive Compound for LED

  1. Why use a thermally conductive compound instead of aluminum?
    To reduce weight, costs, and production complexity, while maintaining high thermal dissipation capacity.
  2. What is the thermal conductivity of LATICONTHER 62 GR/70?
    About 10 W/m·K, a high value for a technopolymer and stable even at high temperatures.
  3. Are technopolymer heat sinks suitable for COB LEDs?
    Yes, if properly designed: they ensure efficient cooling, long life, and design freedom.