Glass fibre reinforcement resists heat

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 4, 2007

The low outgassing of PerforMax SP chopped strands means cleaner moulds and therefore less downtime for mould cleaning, as well as reduced cycle time and improved part surface aesthetics.

PerforMax SP 798 chopped strand glass fibre reinforcement from Owens Corning offers temperature resistance exceeding 400C and up to 40% lower outgassing in combination with mouldings using Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) and Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS).

As an exhibitor at the JEC Composites Show 2007 Paris (Booth Q30, Hall 1, Expo Porte de Versailles), Owens Corning has introduced PerforMax SP 798 for the first time to a global industry audience.

"PerforMax SP 798 represents a significant technology step in heat-resistant glass fibre reinforcement that will prove increasingly important", explains Owens Corning Senior Engineer, Hiromasa Suzuki.

"In the electronics sector there is already a move towards higher temperature-applied soldering processes, such as used in Surface Mount Technology (SMT), in part driven by the growing use of lead-free solders".

"While polymers such as LCP and PPS are able to cope with high heat, the same has not been the case for the reinforcements used in conjunction with them and for which higher heat increases outgassing", he says.

Outgassing in small electrical and electronic components like SMT connectors and relay housings results in on-mould deposits, spoiling surfaces and blocking mould vents which leads to poor release, unacceptable part surfaces and short moulding.

Outgassing can also occur during the assembly onto circuit boards of moulded components causing defective circuits and production losses through a high level of part rejections.

PerforMax SP 798 has been specially developed to withstand the elevated temperatures associated with the latest lead-free solder processes and to significantly lower reinforcement outgassing in LCP and PPS allowing productivity and part performance to be optimised.

This reinforcement delivers: outstanding temperature performance exceeding 400C while maintaining high fatigue resistance over application lifetime; up to 40% lower outgassing in conjunction with LCP and PPS, providing for cleaner mould surfaces, fewer defects and improved final part aesthetics; and similar mechanical and high-temperature advantages in combination with PES and PEEK polymers.

The low outgassing of PerforMax SP chopped strands means cleaner moulds and therefore less downtime for mould cleaning, as well as reduced cycle time and improved part surface aesthetics.

Combined with reduced risk of damage to active components and fewer rejected parts, PerforMax SP has the potential to deliver higher productivity at lower unit cost.

PerforMax SP 798 is a grade of the PerforMax SP family of chopped strand reinforcements specifically designed to complement Super Engineering Thermoplastics such as the LCP, PPS, PES and PEEK polymers that are specified for the most demanding electronic components.