Polymers in Electronics

Polymers in Electronics

Author: K. Cousins
ISBN 978-1-84735-006-0 

Published: 2007
120 pages, Soft-backed, Rapra market report

$490.00
Designers of electrical and electronic components have a wide choice of polymers at their disposal - cost is a prime consideration but competition in the market place is imposing ever more stringent specification criteria on the equipment designer who, in turn, is demanding significantly improved performance from his polymer supplier. This report lists the most commonly used polymers with brief notes on their properties.

This report seeks to provide an overall picture of the varied use of polymers in the manufacture of electronic components. It has endeavoured to identify trends and future movements of the market.

The pattern of polymer usage has changed and material formulations have had to be modified to conform with new European Union (EU) legislation relating to the use of hazardous materials in components. Furthermore, there is now far more emphasis on recycling rather than landfill disposal and these are issues covered in the report.

This report will be of interest to all those involved in using polymers to produce electronic components and to those who provide the raw materials for the production.

1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 The Report
1.3 Methodology

2. Executive Summary

3. Review of Materials and Properties

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Polymers for Components
3.2.1 Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
3.2.2 Acetal Copolymers (Polyoxymethylene; POM)
3.2.3 IXEF Polyarylamide
3.2.4 Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCP)
3.2.5 Polyamide (Nylon; PA)
3.2.6 Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
3.2.7 Polycarbonate (PC)
3.2.8 Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
3.2.9 Polyetherimide (PEI)
3.2.10 Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN)
3.2.11 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
3.2.12 Polyparaphenylene Terephthalamide
3.2.13 Polyimide (PI)
3.2.14 Polypropylene (PP)
3.2.15 Polyphthalamides (PPA)
3.2.16 Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
3.2.17 Polystyrene (PS)
3.2.18 PS-Modified Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO)
3.2.19 Polysulfone (PSU)
3.2.20 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
3.2.21 Polyurethane (PU)
3.2.22 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
3.2.23 Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
3.2.24 Styrene/Acrylonitrile (SAN)
3.2.25 Elastomers
3.2.26 Conductive Materials
3.2.27 Additives
3.3 Component Characteristics
3.4 Polymers for Enclosures
3.5 Electronic Components - Polymers Typically Employed
3.5.1 Batteries including Lithium Polymer Types
3.5.2 Capacitors
3.5.3 Coil Formers
3.5.4 Connectors
3.5.5 Membrane Keypads
3.5.6 Plugs and Sockets
3.5.7 Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)
3.5.8 Relays
3.5.9 Resistors
3.5.10 RFI Screening
3.5.11 Sensors
3.5.12 Switches
3.5.13 Terminals
3.5.14 Touch Screens

4. Overview of European Electronic Component Markets

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Market Analysis
4.3 Mobile Communications
4.4 Automotive Applications
4.5 Fuel Cells
4.6 Computers
4.7 Contract Electronic Manufacturing
4.8 Component Distribution
4.9 European Markets - Germany
4.10 European Markets - France
4.11 European Markets - Italy
4.12 Other European Markets

5. Key Trends and Developments
5.1 Bluetooth Technology
5.2 Organic and Other Polymer Developments
5.3 Supercapacitors
5.4 Solar Cells
5.5 Flat Panel Displays
5.6 Other New Technologies
5.7 Recycling
5.8 Chemical Safety
5.9 Compliance with European RoHS and WEEE Directives
5.10 Nanotechnology

6. Company Profiles
Arkema
Basell BV
BASF AG
Bayer AG
Borealis A/S
BP Plc
CDT Limited
Degussa AG
Dow Europe GmbH
DSM Engineering Plastics BV
Dupont (UK) Limited
EMS-chemie (UK) Limited
Epcos AG
General Electric Company
Huntsman Corporation
LG Chem
Plastic Logic Limited
Rogers Corporation
SABIC Europe
Samsung Electronics
Solutia Inc.
Solvay Chemicals Limited
Teijin
Ticona GmbH
Toray Europe Limited (TEL)
Total SA
TT Electronics plc
Tyco Electronics UK Limited
Victrex Plc

7. Future Outlook
7.1 Optical Applications
7.2 Search for New Products
7.3 Superconducting Plastics
7.4 Asia - Opportunity or Threat

8. Abbreviations and Acronyms

Keith Cousins graduated from Oxford University with an Engineering Science degree and followed a graduate apprenticeship with one of the forerunners of GEC with a career in export sales. This included export area management with Francis Shaw, a leading manufacturer of rubber and plastics extruders and mixing machinery.

Moving to market research at Buckingham-based Harkness Consultants after posts in Export Area and Market Planning Management at Coventry Climax, he has since November 1993, established a successful independent market research consultancy. Assignments have included a succession of published reports and privately commissioned studies.