Explosion-proof flashlights: Which material is best?

When selecting a professional and safe explosion-proof flashlight, it's essential to consider the housing material, as it directly influences its safety, performance, and ease of use. The two most common materials are plastic and aluminum, each with specific characteristics that suit different professional needs.

When choosing a flashlight for firefighting, rescue, oil and gas, or other industries, it's important to ensure it meets the specialized needs of that specific job.

Thermal conductivity and safety

Aluminum is known for its excellent thermal conductivity, which allows it to effectively dissipate the heat generated by the LED, thus improving its luminous efficiency. However, this property also means that, in high-temperature environments, such as those faced by firefighters, aluminum can absorb heat from the environment, becoming dangerous to the touch and compromising the integrity of the internal batteries.

That's why firefighting flashlights, or any tool used for fire rescue, are not made of aluminum or any other metal. On the contrary, flashlights made of engineering plastics have significantly lower thermal conductivity, making them safer in hot environments.

Plastic flashlights better protect the batteries and maintain a suitable surface temperature for handling, even in extreme conditions.

Electrical conductivity and risk prevention

Aluminum, being a metal, is an excellent electrical conductor, which can increase the risk of short circuits, if the flashlight comes into contact with other electrical equipment.

For this reason, aluminum flashlights cannot be used in certain professional environments, in accordance with safety standards and safety certifications (ATEX).

In contrast, engineering plastics specifically developed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres possess controlled electrical conductivity, preventing the buildup of electrostatic charges and reducing the possibility of sparks in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Other differences

Aluminum lanterns generally fare much worse than plastic ones when exposed to the elements, as they scratch and warp much more quickly. Additionally, aluminum lanterns are generally heavier than plastic ones, which is key if you want to keep the weight of your gear as low as possible.

Conclusion

In addition to choosing a flashlight with the correct beam distance, lumens, battery life, etc., you must also pay attention to the material. If you require a light certified for hazardous industrial environments or high temperatures, the flashlight cannot be made of aluminum. In this case, flashlights made of engineering plastics offer significant advantages in terms of safety and reliability.

However, for outdoor search and rescue, aluminum products can also be an option. Therefore, it's essential to evaluate the specific conditions of use when choosing a flashlight, always prioritizing protection and optimal performance in each situation.

At ADALIT USA, you can find the best ATEX-certified flashlights for firefighters, industry, and search and rescue.