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VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer, VICOTE® Coatings and APTIV™ films help meet the growing material requirements in the electronics industry

Higher performance, portability, wireless/high frequency, longer life, and more stringent environmental and regulatory concerns, are shaping the way electronic parts are designed, and material selection is critical.

VICTREX PEEK polymer, VICOTE Coatings and APTIV films are chosen time and time again for electronic components subjected to the most demanding conditions and harsh environments, where product performance cannot be compromised such as automotive electronics, and in the industrial and electronics manufacturing processes.

VICTREX PEEK polymer's unique combination of properties, including wear resistance, strength, dimensional stability, low outgassing, moisture absorption and high temperature resistance, are well suited for engineers and designers seeking materials with higher thermal resistance, stronger mechanical strength, and processability.

The VICTREX® 90 family of high flow products is designed for injection molding thin-walled, intricate components, such as high density connectors, and highly-filled compounds without sacrificing ease of processing. These new products facilitate the replacement of thermosets, ceramics and metals in electronic consumer, surface-mount technology and micro-fluid handling applications.

When it is critical to produce electronic parts with close tolerances and ductility for intricate snap-fit designs, VICTREX PEEK polymer is an excellent choice because it enables highly complex finished components to be mass-produced without the need for additional machining.

Are your electronic components ready for the rigors of lead-free solder assembly?

Environmental legislation restricting the use of lead and commercial pressures are driving the industry to implement the use of lead-free materials in all electronic assemblies. End users have begun to specify components capable of surviving the increased reflow temperatures associated with lead-free solder systems. In contrast to traditional polymeric materials, high-temperature resistant VICTREX PEEK polymer readily meets the demands of the most rigorous lead-free solder processes.

When compared to conventional lead solders which have a processing temperature of approximately 230°C (446°F), lead-free alternatives require extended exposure (preheating and reflow) at higher maximum temperatures often exceeding 260°C (500°F). Because of these higher temperature conditions, many traditional polymeric materials used for electronic components fail. PBT, Nylon and PPS may fail because they distort or melt under lead-free solder conditions. LCP has mechanical strength limitations, weld line performance issues, and is on the edge of thermal performance. Victrex' high flow products enable engineers to design components previously only possible with lower performing, lower viscosity polymers like LCP, PPS, and epoxy thermosets.

VICTREX PEEK polymer properties include high heat resistance of up to 315°C (600°F). It maintains strength and dimensional stability at high temperatures which is especially important in sealed electronic components where internal pressure can deform parts. Additionally, VICTREX PEEK polymer maintains tight dimensional tolerance during the solder process and has low outgassing, reducing the risk of contamination.

Benefits of VICTREX PEEK for the Electronics Industry:

• High temperature resistance - up to 315°C (600°F) – can withstand lead-free soldering temperatures
• Excellent wear resistance
• Dimensional stability
• Low outgassing
• Low moisture absorption
• ECO Compliant (Green) FR systems - naturally flame retardant without the need for halogenated additives
• Outstanding chemical resistance
• Low particle generation
• Fully recyclable
• Processing flexibility

Electronics Successes:

OLE WOLFF-SEOKANG Selects VICTREX® PEEK™ Polymer for Mobile Phone Condenser Microphone Spacer Films

OLE WOLFF-SEOKANG, the developer of Korea's first condenser microphone for mobile phones, selected VICTREX PEEK polymer to be used as spacer films for its microphones due to its superior heat-resistance and dielectric constant.

OLE WOLFF-SEOKANG's R&D Manager Kim Su-hak said, "Today's microphones are produced using Surface Mounted Device (SMD) methods where they are attached to a board while going through re-flow. In this process, they must withstand re-flow high temperatures. However, Polyester Terephthalate (PET), the current spacer material, has low heat-resistance, causing the microphones to melt or be deformed. Therefore, there was an urgent need for us to find alternative materials. In our efforts to test materials with stronger heat-resistance, we decided to select VICTREX PEEK polymer, which passed various tests with satisfying scores with its melting point at 343°C."

He added, "It was only natural to choose VICTREX PEEK polymer, which offers not only heat-resistance but also electrical reliability, chemical-resistance and outstanding physical properties."

Simula Tech Adopts VICOTE® Coatings to Develop Innovative Mobile Phone Slide Hinges

Striving to create innovative designs for mobile phone components, Simula Tech. Inc, a leading mobile phone component manufacturer, was looking to raise the production efficiency and yield rate of mobile phone slide hinges, as well as reduce production and manufacturing costs. They found their solution with VICOTE® Coatings, based on VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer.

Richard Liu, Vice General Manager of Simula Tech R&D Center, said, "We were the first in the industry to incorporate VICOTE Coatings into the design of the slide hinge component and successfully move it into mass production. For end users or mobile phone manufacturers, this new innovative design can strengthen the functionality and design flexibility of mobile phones without additional costs. In addition, this innovative design has passed the EU's strict RoHS certification and successfully helped Simula Tech expand into the European market."

"From R&D's perspective, even though the cost of new material is higher, the added value it brings can actually help lower the overall production costs," said Alvin Hsu, Manager of Simula Tech R&D department. "Tests show that mobile phone slide hinges that use VICOTE Coatings can maintain their original smoothness after 200,000 cycles and above. VICOTE Coatings' ease of processing serves to raise the production efficiency and yield rate of mobile phone slide hinges. Currently, a series of component slide hinges is made with VICOTE Coatings, and we plan to use VICOTE Coatings on various lines of slide hinges."

ATE's P²C speaker cone made with APTIV Black film

Seeking to enhance the design process of its speaker cones, Audio Technology Engineering (ATE), a German-based provider of innovative solutions for the acoustic speaker market, developed the P²C speaker cone, a revolutionary design made with laminated Victrex APTIV™ black film. APTIV film provided the material solution that enabled free surface design capabilities, plus the ability to be thermoformed into intricate details. The P²C is already being widely recognized as an excellent technology solution for cones in all types of speakers.

Based on VICTREX PEEK polymer, a high performance thermoplastic, APTIV film's inherent acoustic, high temperature, mechanical, fatigue and processing attributes are well suited for use in acoustic applications and present numerous opportunities for OEMs, designers and processors in the manufacture of leading edge, high performance speaker systems.

The ability to thermoform APTIV film into intricate details in the P²C cone design means that the manufacturing process is fast and efficient, allowing it to be used in high volume and cost competitive applications.

For more information about VICTREX PEEK polymer and its use in electronics applications, download the following brochures:

Electronics Brochure
Lead Free Soldering Flyer
Mobile Phone Flyer
High Flow Flyer

To obtain more information from a Victrex Sales Engineer:

Americas:
800 VICTREX
484.342.6001

Asia Pacific:
+ (86) 21-6113 6900
+ (81) 35777 8737

Europe:
(49) 6192 964949

Email: victrexplc@victrex.com

To access the VICTREX PEEK literature or request a sample, visit the website at www.victrex.com.

Would you like to learn more now, or acquire data specifications for VICTREX PEEK, VICOTE Coatings or APTIV films? Contact one of the technical experts at Ask the Expert for more information.

VICTREX® is a registered trademark of Victrex Manufacturing Limited. PEEK™, PEEK-HT™, T-Series™, MAX-Series™ and APTIV™ are trademarks of Victrex plc. VICOTE® is a registered trademark of Victrex plc.

The Victrex Team
Continues to stay focused and passionate about their deep expertise in polyetheretherketones, and continually expand their product offerings through the development of unique polymers, proprietary blends, and high performance compounds.