Descripción

PMSQ SILICONE MICROSPHERE LIGHT DIFFUSERS

Light Diffusion Agent for PC, PMMA, PP & PS

Wanda Chemical manufactures spherical PMSQ light diffusion agents for optical plastic applications where manufacturers need to balance:

Haze · Light Transmission · LED Hotspot Masking · Optical Uniformity

The right diffuser is not selected by particle size alone. A practical starting grade depends on:

Resin · Particle Size · Loading · Part Thickness · Optical Target

Get a Grade Recommendation

Request Samples & TDS

 

Quick Facts

Material
PMSQ silicone microspheres

Representative Particle Sizes
~1 μm · ~2 μm · ~2.8 μm

Typical Resins
PC · PMMA · PP · PS

Applications
LED Lampshades · Diffuser Sheets · Lenses · Optical Covers · Masterbatch

Which Wanda Light Diffusion Grade Should You Start With?

At the same weight loading, different particle sizes can create different particle-number densities and scattering behavior.

This can influence the balance between:

• bruma
• transmission
• hotspot masking
• optical uniformity

For this reason, particle size should be treated as a selection variable, not a quality ranking.

Representative Wanda Grades

Grado	Approx. Particle Size	Practical Starting Direction
WD-101	~1 μm	Fine-particle option when stronger scattering is being evaluated
WD-102	~2 μm	Practical starting grade for many transparent optical-plastic projects requiring a balanced diffusion/transmission result
WD-103	~2.8 μm	Larger-particle option for evaluating a different scattering and transmission balance

These are starting directions, not guaranteed performance rankings.

Final optical performance depends on the complete system:

Grade + Resin + Loading + Thickness + Geometry

Recommended Starting Test Framework

For a new project, compare controlled variables rather than testing one grade at one dosage.

Variable	Recommended Comparison
Grado	1–2 relevant particle sizes
Loading	Several controlled dosage levels
Thickness	Actual production thickness
Measurements	Haze + transmission + visual hotspot evaluation
Processing	Keep molding/extrusion conditions consistent

Not Sure Which Grade to Test?

Send us your:

Resin · Thickness · Application · Current Diffuser · Optical Target

Get a Grade Recommendation →

 

Match the Diffuser to the Resin and Finished Part

The same diffuser grade and dosage should not automatically be copied from one polymer into another.

PC — Polycarbonate

Typical Applications

LED lampshades, tubes, lenses, lighting covers and diffuser components.

Key Selection Factors

• wall thickness
• haze/transmission balance
• LED hotspot masking
• dispersion
• processing conditions

PC is one of the most common systems for PMSQ light-diffusion evaluation.

Explore Light Diffusion for PC →

 

PMMA — Acrylic

Typical Applications

Optical panels, diffuser sheets, signage and lighting covers.

Key Selection Factors

• brightness retention
• haze development
• optical appearance
• dosage
• part thickness

PMMA applications often require sufficient scattering without unnecessarily sacrificing optical clarity.

Explore Light Diffusion for PMMA →

 

PP — Polypropylene

Typical Applications

Injection-molded LED covers, lampshades and thin-wall lighting components.

Key Selection Factors

• particle dispersion
• base-resin transparency
• thin-wall molding
• hotspot masking
• processing stability

Do not directly copy a PC formulation into PP.

Explore Light Diffusion for PP →

 

PS / GPPS — Polystyrene

Typical Applications

Diffuser sheets, light panels and display-related optical components.

Key Selection Factors

• sheet thickness
• bruma
• transmission
• tamaño de las partículas
• loading level

PS and GPPS are useful systems for evaluating how PMSQ particle size changes optical scattering.

Explore Light Diffusion for PS →

 

Choose by Finished Product

Aplicación	Main Optical Objective
LED Lampshades & Tubes	Hide individual LED points while maintaining useful brightness
Diffuser Sheets & Plates	Improve light distribution across a larger surface
Lenses & Optical Covers	Control beam distribution and hotspot visibility
Light Diffusion Masterbatch	Achieve stable particle dispersion before final let-down

Start with the Optical Target, Not the Powder

A successful light-diffusion formulation is a system rather than a single additive specification.

The five main variables are:

1. Resin

PC, PMMA, PP and PS have different optical and processing characteristics.

A formulation optimized in one resin should be re-evaluated when transferred to another.

2. Particle Size

Different PMSQ particle sizes change particle-number density and scattering behavior.

The correct particle size is the one that gives the required optical balance in the actual application.

3. Loading

Higher loading usually increases scattering events, but excessive loading can reduce useful light transmission without producing proportional visual improvement.

Use controlled dosage steps during screening.

4. Part Thickness

A longer optical path gives light more opportunities to interact with diffuser particles.

Therefore, the same formulation may produce different results at:

1 mm · 3 mm · 5 mm

or in different lens geometries.

5. Optical Target

Do not optimize haze alone.

A useful lighting component normally needs to balance:

Haze

Light-scattering strength

Transmission

Useful light output

Hotspot Masking

Visibility of individual LED points

Uniformity

How evenly light appears across the finished component

Practical Selection Rule

The best formulation is not the one with the highest haze or the highest transmission.

It is the formulation that delivers the required uniformity and hotspot masking while preserving sufficient usable light output.

 

Three Common Selection Mistakes

Selecting by particle size alone

Compare particle size together with resin, loading and thickness.

Copying dosage from another resin or product

Re-test under the actual material and geometry.

Evaluating only haze

Measure haze and transmission together and visually check LED hotspot performance.

 

Why Test Conditions Matter

Optical numbers only become useful when the test conditions are known.

Statements such as:

“90% haze”

o

“85% transmission”

have limited technical value without knowing:

• resin
• diffuser grade
• dosage
• thickness
• geometry
• test method

Wanda therefore evaluates light-diffusion materials under defined application conditions.

 

Application Snapshot — WD-102 in PC

Test Material

Light Diffusion Agent: WD-102
Base Resin: PC1250Z

Aplicación

PC LED lampshade and optical lens evaluation

 

Test A — Approx. 1 mm PC Lampshade

WD-102 Addition	Measured Transmission
0	92%
0.3 g/kg	92%
0.6 g/kg	92%
0.9 g/kg	92%
1.2 g/kg	91%
1.5 g/kg	91%

Observation

Within this specific thin-wall PC test, transmission changed only slightly across the tested WD-102 loading range.

This result should no be treated as a universal WD-102 performance specification.

Its main value is showing that optical response must be interpreted together with the actual component design.

 

Test B — PC Lenses with Different Thicknesses

WD-102 was also evaluated in PC lens designs with different maximum thicknesses.

As diffuser loading increased:

• transmission decreased
• luminous angle increased
• thicker lens geometry showed a stronger optical response

Engineering Takeaway

Thickness can materially change how the same diffuser and dosage affect the finished optical part.

This is why part thickness should be provided when requesting a grade or starting-formulation recommendation.

 

Data Disclaimer

These results are application-specific reference data, not guaranteed product specifications.

Final performance should be verified using the customer’s own:

• resin grade
• component geometry
• LED arrangement
• processing conditions
• optical test method

Recommended Future Upgrade

As new verified Wanda data becomes available, prioritize tables combining:

Grade + Loading + Thickness + Haze + Transmission

under the same test conditions.

This is more useful than publishing isolated haze or transmission ranges.

 

 

Why Evaluate Light Diffusion Agents with Wanda?

Wanda Chemical has worked with spherical silicone-resin powders and optical-plastic applications for decades.

Our role is not simply to offer one “best-selling” diffuser, but to help customers narrow the evaluation based on their actual optical system.

What We Can Support

Multiple PMSQ Particle Sizes

Representative commercial options allow customers to screen different particle-size starting points.

Application-Based Selection

Recommendations can be based on:

• resin
• thickness
• application
• current benchmark
• target haze
• target transmission
• hotspot requirement

Sample Comparison

For suitable projects, comparing more than one relevant grade can help identify the preferred optical balance more efficiently.

Technical Documentation

Depending on the project and grade, support can include:

• TDS
• SDS
• COA
• samples
• technical discussion
• commercial quotation

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

1.) Which Wanda grade should I start with for PC?

WD-102, at approximately 2 μm, can be a practical starting grade for many PC light-diffusion evaluations.

The final choice should still be confirmed against the required haze, transmission, part thickness and hotspot performance.

2.) Is a smaller PMSQ particle always better for light diffusion?

No.

Smaller particles may create more scattering centers at the same mass loading, but final optical performance also depends on resin, loading, thickness, particle-size distribution and geometry.

3.) What dosage should I use?

There is no universal dosage.

For a new project, compare several controlled loading levels under the actual production resin and thickness.

4.) Can Wanda help benchmark my current diffuser?

Yes.

The most useful information includes:

• current supplier or grade
• tamaño de las partículas
• current dosage
• resin
• part thickness
• haze/transmission data
• performance you want to improve

Not Sure Which Light Diffusion Agent to Test?

You do not need to identify the Wanda grade before contacting us.

Please Share

Resin
PC / PMMA / PP / PS / other

Aplicación
Lampshade / diffuser sheet / lens / masterbatch / other

Thickness

Current Diffuser & Dosage
if available

Target Haze / Transmission

Main Problem
Hotspots / low brightness / insufficient haze / poor dispersion / other

Get a Grade Recommendation

Request Samples & TDS

Grade Selection · Sample Support · TDS · Technical Discussion · Commercial Quotation