looking for flat flexible, clear material to pipe light from LED

[thayes]

we need to pipe light into a strip of something clear, flexible and flat, approx 0.7 to 1.5 mm thick, 2-3 cm wide. i sourced some vinyl sheet, and when we cut it into strips we cant seem to get any light into the material. (Using a high powered LED) We have tried to arrange the LED/Vinyl interface in many different ways, cant seem to get the light into the material. We are scoring the material to provide an exit for the light.

Will vinyl work? do I need acrylic?
Does the edge need to be prepared some way?
Do I need an "Optical Quality" clear material?

Thanks

Tom

 

[IRstuff]

Did you polish the input edge?
Have you looked at how monitors and TVs are built for that?

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[Compositepro]

Light pipes work on the principle of "total internal reflection". There is no problem getting light into a transparent object. The trick is in controlling where it comes out. What are you expecting? In all probability your expectations are not consistent with reality.

 

[thayes]

how do you recommend to polish the edge? I dont have a MAPP gas torch. Just use 100-400 grit and then a buffer?