Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a leading global diversified chemical company, recently introduced a major breakthrough in the production process of infrared optical sensor lenses at the American Plastics and Mold Technology Exhibition (NPE 2018, booth number: S19001). SABIC's EXTEM ™ thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) resin can be used in applications such as proximity sensors and gesture recognition for smartphones and other electronics. The Swiss molding company SOPROD SA uses SABIC's high-performance material with high penetration of infrared light, and uses multi-mode tools for micro molding to achieve mass production of sensor lenses. Compared with the grinding and polishing of quartz glass and the curing process of epoxy resin, EXTEM ™ resin has the advantages of high efficiency and mass molding, which can significantly increase the processing speed, ensure quality stability, and avoid high cost secondary processing. This breakthrough in SOPROD provides a new and efficient solution for the electronics industry, helping to meet the growing demand for infrared optical sensors in the market.
Jean-Camil Pitteloud, Chief Operating Officer of SOPROD SA, said: "With the excellent properties of EXTEM ™ resin, we have achieved great success in the first micromolding with thermoplastic resins. The high flow and low shrinkage of SABIC materials make them very Suitable for mass production of small precision parts. In addition, it can withstand the high temperature environment of lead-free soldering commonly used in device assembly. We are pleased to develop this with our long-standing expertise in producing high-quality watch movements. Innovative manufacturing processes also undoubtedly give us a strong competitive advantage. "
Andy Verheijden, SABIC Global EXTEM ™ Business Manager, added: "From mobile phones to electronic game controllers to drones, infrared optical sensors are widely used in new functions in consumer electronics. This cooperation with SOPROD proves the use of The feasibility and many advantages of EXTEM ™ resin micromolding to produce infrared optical lenses. With this innovative process, our customers in the electronics industry can quickly produce the components needed for a truly next-generation device. "
High penetration of infrared light and high temperature resistance
EXTEM ™ resins provide key optical characteristics required for infrared sensor lenses, including high infrared light transmission, high refractive index, low haze, and zero surface defects. EXTEM ™ resin is available in natural and black colors. Black absorbs visible light but transmits infrared light, helping to improve the accuracy of the proximity sensor.
This resin can withstand extremely high temperatures (glass transition temperature of 267 ° C / 513 ° F) and supports lead-free reflow soldering processes for miniaturized component assembly.
Increase design freedom
EXTEM ™ resin also surpasses traditional epoxy and glass in design flexibility. The material can be injection-molded into lenses with free-form surfaces, while epoxy resins have geometric limitations and often require the addition of a substrate layer. The high shear thinning properties of EXTEM ™ resin facilitate mold filling, which is essential for small, high-precision parts. With more flexibility in design freedom and higher refractive index, EXTEM ™ resins can reduce one to two layers compared to epoxy resins in advanced lens designs.