GORE® DRP® - WL Gore & Associates, Inc.

GORE® DRP®
DIFFUSE REFLECTOR MATERIAL
Display Backlighting
UV Water Sterilization
UV Air Purifi cation
Architectural Lighting

CONTENTS
Technology Benefi ts Description ....................................................................................2
The Nature of GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material .....................................................3
Why Is High Refl ectance Important? ...............................................................................4
Why Is GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material So Refl ective? .........................................4
How Refl ective Is GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material ................................................5
Exposure: 125°C for 60 days ..........................................................................................5
Exposure: ASTM G 53 .....................................................................................................6
Exposure: Production Atmosphere .................................................................................6
Test Data .......................................................................................................................7
Potential Applications and Advantages ..........................................................................8
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
1

GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is
highly fl exible
2 GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS DESCRIPTION
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is the world’s most refl ective light-diffusing
material. It maximizes the uniformity of the light it refl ects. The material is light weight
and thin, and is still effi cient in a sheet as thin as 0.5mm. Its fl exibility allows it to
conform to complex surfaces without costly machining. It can be adhered to wovens,
non-wovens, Mylar, and solid surfaces. GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is
refl ective to near-IR, in visual light, and in UV, making it useful for lighting, UV-curing,
UV-disinfection, amongst many others. The material absorbs no measurable light energy,
and is resistant to heat and ultraviolet. Because it is refl ective to visual light and to UV,
it is non-yellowing and maintains its refl ectivity over time. It cleans with a damp cloth.
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material can reduce power requirements and increase the
effi ciency of lighting fi xtures, instruments, and displays. It is supplied ready-to-install.
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material consists of expanded PTFE comprising polymeric
nodes interconnected by fi brils, defi ning a microporous structure. Sheets of GORE ® DRP ®
Diffuse Refl ector Material can be as thin as 0.5mm and still be highly effi cient refl ectors.
Sheets can be made up to 3.0mm thick.
Refl ectance increases somewhat with thickness, but even at 1.0mm, refl ectance is
98.5% with no measurable absorption of light energy. The product is equivalently
refl ective from 240 nm through the visible spectrum to 2500 nm.
Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) is a stable substance that is inert under a wide range of
environmental conditions. The bulk material can withstand a continuous operating
temperature of 260°C. Because the molecule does not absorb light energy in the visible
or UV spectrum, the product does not yellow. It can be cleaned with a damp cloth and
easily returned to its original refl ectance.
Benefi ts Summary
• World’s most diffuse refl ective material maximizes light output and effi ciency
• Highly diffuse to maximize uniformity of illumination
• Light weight, thin, fl exible, formable to conform to its application without
costly machining
• Refl ective to near-IR, visual light, and UV
• Resistant to heat and ultraviolet radiation, stands up to harsh duty
• Non-yellowing, maintains its refl ectivity over time and cleans with a damp cloth
• Can reduce power requirements for lighting fi xtures, instruments, and displays
• Supplied ready-to-install

THE NATURE OF GORE ® DRP ® DIFFUSE REFLECTOR MATERIAL
There are two kinds of refl ectance, diffuse (the Gore product) and specular. Examples of
specular refl ectance are refl ections from a mirror or from polished aluminum. In specular
refl ection, the angle of incidence equals the angle of refl ection. Thus, in the refl ector of a
recessed light fi xture, for example, light may refl ect many times before it issues from the
opening of the fi xture. Each time light refl ects, however, it loses a portion of its energy—
its illumination. A poor refl ector can absorb a signifi cant amount of energy in this way
before the light emerges from the fi xture.
The GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is highly refl ective, with light being refl ected
at multiple angles. The refl ectance can be termed as lambertian because light falling on
the surface of the material is scattered such that the apparent brightness at the surface
is the same regardless of the angle of view.
Diffuse Reflection Spectral Reflection
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
3

GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is a
microporous material with polymeric nodes
and fi brils
5000x SEM of GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse
Refl ector Material
4 GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
WHY IS HIGH REFLECTANCE IMPORTANT?
Every time a ray of light refl ects, some light energy is lost. If an optical design causes
more than one refl ection to occur, a poor refl ector can absorb a signifi cant amount of
total energy. This is why a small difference in refl ectance can make a big difference in
total light output.
Importance of High Refl ectance
Light Energy Remaining (%)
100
90
80
70
60
98%
50
92%
40
0 2 4 6 8 10
Number of Reflections
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is almost 100% refl ective. It is an expanded PTFE
comprising polymeric nodes interconnected by fi brils, defi ning a microporous structure.
Simply put, there are a high number of randomly oriented surface interfaces between
air and the PTFE material in any given volume. At each air-to-PTFE interface, light energy
experiences a refl ection and refraction because the air voids and the fi ne fi brils each
have a different index of refraction. Light is bent and diffused.
The high degree of refl ectance of the product means that it does not absorb measurable
energy, it maintains its refl ectance over time, and does not degrade or discolor.
WHY IS GORE ® DRP ® DIFFUSE REFLECTOR MATERIAL SO REFLECTIVE?
The answer lies in the microporous structure of this proprietary material. Light refl ects
and refracts from fi bril to fi bril within this structure. This is the same reason snow
refl ects light whereas water does not. The microporous structure, optimized for
maximum refl ectance, is made from a durable, non-yellowing polymer called PTFE.

HOW REFLECTIVE IS GORE ® DRP ® DIFFUSE REFLECTOR MATERIAL
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is the highest refl ectance material in the world.
Refl ectance of Diffused Materials
Reflectance (%)
100
98
96
94
92
90
88
B
F
C
D
E
A
86
400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750
Wavelength
A. 3.0 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material
B. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material
C. Granular PTFE
D. Barium Sulfate
E. Microporous
Polyester
F. Powder Coating
At the molecular level, the large fl uorine atoms of the substance surround and protect
the base carbon chain. The powerful carbon-fl uorine bonds protect the molecule from
intrusions of energy. The molecule does not absorb measurable light energy in the near-
IR, visual range, or UV wavelengths.
EXPOSURE: 125°C FOR 60 DAYS
Degredation due to Heat Exposure
Reflectance (%)
100
98
96
94
92
90
A2
A1
B1 B2
C1
88
C2
86
400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750
Wavelength
A1. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material before
exposure
A2. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material after
exposure
B1. Polyester before
exposure
B2. Polyester after
exposure
C1. Powder coating
before exposure
C2. Powder coating
after exposure
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
5

EXPOSURE: ASTM G 53
Degredation due to UV Exposure
6 GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
Reflectance (%)
100
98
96
94
92
90
88
A2
B1
A1
B2
C2
C1
86
400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750
Wavelength
EXPOSURE: PRODUCTION ATMOSPHERE
For 6 months; Cleaned by wiping with a clean, damp cloth.
Dirt Depreciation and Cleanability
Reflectance (%)
100
95
90
85
80
A3
A2
A1
B1
B3
B2
75
400 450 500 550 600 650 700
Wavelength
A1. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material before
exposure
A2. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material after
exposure
B1. Polyester before
exposure
B2. Polyester after
exposure
C1. Powder coating
before exposure
C2. Powder coating
after exposure
A1. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material before
exposure
A2. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material after
exposure
A3. 0.5 mm GORE ®
DRP ® Reflector
Material after
exposure and
cleaning
B1. White spray
paint before
exposure
B2. White spray
paint after
exposure
B3. White spray
paint after
exposure and
cleaning

OTHER MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Continuous use operating temperature
Material without adhesive 288°C
Material with silicone adhesive 250°C
Material with acrylic adhesive 170°C
Thermal conductivity 0.04 W/m*°K
Chemical resistance Unaffected by virtually all chemicals
Fluorescence Essentially none
Diffuseness Highly lambertian
Water resistance Highly hydrophobic
Dimensional tolerances ± 0.020"
Dimensional shrinkage < 1%
TEST DATA
Color White
Density .5 mm thick = .6 g/cc (typical)
Adhesive Peel 55 oz/inch
UV Stability No color change or degradation
Refl ectance .5 mm to 3.0 mm thick = >97.4%
to 99.2% refl ective
Dimensional Shrinkage

Ultraviolet (UV) Water Sterilization
Ultraviolet Air Sterilization
8 GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS AND ADVANTAGES
Ultraviolet (UV) Water Sterilization
Typical Ultraviolet (UV) water treatment reactors are produced from stainless steel
(SS316-L) and may require multiple UV lamps to be effective. This in turn can lead to
oversized chambers and increased operating costs. The use of GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse
Refl ector Material can signifi cantly enhance the effi ciency of UV fl uid treatment systems
by providing a highly diffuse, refl ective surface that increases the intensity of the UV
radiation within the chamber. The high refl ectivity of GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector
Material can signifi cantly enhance the performance of the UV water sterilization process.
Our highly refl ective ePTFE membrane for light refl ective surfaces in photo induction
chambers (US Patent 5,689,364) means that light can be effectively refl ected multiple
times within the chamber. This multiple refl ection effect leads to greater uniform UV
intensity, allowing for less UV lamps, lower operating costs and increased killing power.
This 7 fold increase in UV intensity (w/m²) can offer greater disinfection rates when
compared to other less effi cient, conventional UV water treatment systems.
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is engineered for high quality water treatment
chambers used in industrial and commercial applications such as, beverage
manufacturing, semiconductor processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Ultraviolet Air Sterilization
HVAC systems used in high-risk installations, such as defense, diplomatic, and
healthcare facilities, should have a 99.9999% removal rate to protect against airborne
biological contaminants. Achieving this level of sterilization requires a higher intensity
of UV rays. The diffusive surface of GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material multiplies the
refl ective power of UV-generated photons. Gore’s highly refl ective material enables the
design of HVAC systems to achieve a greater than 6 log kill of UV resistant endospores
(B. Subtilis).
UV Cure/Coatings/Inks
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material can be used as a liner for photo-induction
chambers. High refl ectance means rapid cures, faster process runs, more uniform curing,
leading to better quality and lower costs.

Display Backlighting
The confi ned space and higher temperatures generated within displays over long
periods of time can lead to discoloration of the back lighting material, ultimately
reducing its refl ectivity.
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is diffusively refl ective and frequently specifi ed
for use in avionic displays. Unlike standard TIO2 based solutions, GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse
Refl ector Material does not discolor or lose performance and maintains refl ectivity
over long periods of time. The material can be shaped and contoured to fi t almost any
enclosure design, thereby simplifying both the design and manufacturing process.
Architectural Lighting
By offering the highest diffuse refl ectivity, lighting designers can lower the overall
building utility costs. Higher refl ection, leads to less fi xtures, less bulbs, and less
power consumption.
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material is ideally suited when diffuse refl ectance of
light is desired. Typical applications include down lighting in applications such as hotel
lobbies, casinos, and parking garages.
GORE ® DRP ® Diffuse Refl ector Material
Display Backlighting
Architectural Lighting
9

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. GORE and designs are registered trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. ©2010 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
North America
1 (800) 445-GORE (4673)
gore.com
Europe
+49 9144 6010
+44 1382 561511
More international phone
numbers can be found at
gore.com/phone
International
1 (302) 292-5100
Japan
+81 33 570 8712
China: Beijing
+86 10 6408 8060
Korea
+82 2 393-3411
GORE® DRP®
China: Shanghai
+86 21 6247 1999
Taiwan
+886 2 8771 7799
DIFFUSE REFLECTOR MATERIAL
China: Shenzhen
+86 755 8359 8262
Singapore
+65 6 733 2882
JK091020-01 Rev. 3-24-2010