The ‘Innovative Plastics’ division of Sabic (Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation) has announced the commercial launch of three new film grades, along with a range of environmentally-sensitive film products. The new film grades add to and expand the range of products in its Lexan polycarbonate (PC) portfolio. They are aimed at the consumer electronics and automotive sectors.
PC film grade in a consumer electronic application (photos: Sabic IP)
The Lexan HP92TTY, Lexan 6060 and Lexan OQ8DA films are designed to provide optical quality and specialised functionality for in-mould decoration (IMD) overlays in consumer electronics and automotive applications. Sabic says that these new films are highly functional and that they offer new design options for IMD overlays and lenses, and are suitable for embossing and printing.
Lexan HP92TTY coated film for 2.5-dimensional formed parts offers chemical and abrasion resistance, can be embossed and requires no post-curing. It is targeted at applications such as IMD overlays for consumer electronics and automotive parts. Lexan 6060 film for IMD overlays on three-dimensional parts is printable and offers high gloss, light transmission and provides increased surface hardness. Applications include housings for portable electronics. Lexan OQ8DA dual-coated sheeted film is designed to provide good impact performance and is printable. It can be used for lenses and keypads on electronic devices.
The PC film grades are designed to provide specialised functionality for in-mould decoration overlays in consumer electronics and automotive applications. (photos: Sabic IP)
Environmentally-sensitive flame retardance
Along with the new film grades, Sabic has also presented its non-halogenated, UL-compliant Lexan EFR film portfolio. These environmentally sensitive translucent or opaque films are designed to deliver non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardant performance at various gauges. The voluntary elimination of halogenated additives is intended to enable electrical and electronics OEMs to meet and exceed current environmental directives, while maintaining compliance with the requirements of the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous substances (RoHs) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE 2006) directives.
Within the EFR range, Sabic has particularly highlighted its Lexan Noryl EFR735 film, which features non-halogenated flame retardance with UL 94 V-0 compliance. This product may be used as a photovoltaic back sheet substrate, in place of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The company asserts that it delivers superior hydrolysis stability, along with good lamination and adhesion properties. It may also be used in the battery spacer insulation of hybrid and electrical vehicles; it offers good chemical resistance to corrosive electrolyte solutions in the battery case.
Advanced LED lighting and display
Sabic’s wide range of Lexan Illuminex films feature engineered random, lens and prism surface texturing. The diffuser films are claimed to provide good hiding power, good light transmission and luminance. They can be used for liquid crystal displays (LCD), handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets, automotive LED dials, HVAC panels and LED lighting applications.
Lexan films are available in monolithic gauges up to 500µm and are designed to provide good optical quality and good dimensional stability at higher temperatures. Several of the grades are suitable for printing and can be formed into 3D shapes. The range’s films with engineered surface textures are intended to offer a cost-effective value proposition by using a one-step melt extrusion manufacturing process with PC resin. Sabic maintains that, in combination with a 15% lower density and its recyclability, Lexan films may deliver notable cost savings, compared to PET alternatives.
Lexan Illuminex films are said to feature engineered random, lens and prism surface texturing and can be used for handheld devices such as smartphones.
Expanded production capabilities
The company offers mono- and multi-layer extrusion capabilities and in-line master sheeting. Through its distribution and convertor partners, Sabic also offers roll slitting and cut-to-size services. Its application development facilities provide customers with lamination, folding, die cutting, screen printing, laser marking and 3D forming services.
Sabic recently expanded Lexan Optical Quality film production at its Nansha, China, facility with a modern extrusion line. Additional capability and capacity additions in Asia are planned for the 2012-2015 period.
www.sabic-ip.com
