Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Victrex USA | Subject: Peek polymer
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 02 August 2006
Victrex Peek polymer in microphone
spacer film
Ole Wolff-Seokang switched to Victrex Peek polymer for microphone spacer film because of its superior temperature resistance and dielectric constant
When Ole Wolff-Seokang, the developer of Korea's first condenser microphone for mobile phones, began producing microphones using Surface Mounted Device (SMD) methods, it switched to Victrex Peek polymer for the microphone's spacer film because of its superior temperature resistance and dielectric constant According to Andrew Ragan, Product Manager, Victrex USA, "During SMD processing, the microphones are attached to a board while going through re-flow"
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 17 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"This process requires them to withstand very high temperatures".
"Previously, the company used PET for the spacer material but, because PET has lower heat resistance, it caused the microphones to melt and deform".
To solve the problem, Ole Wolff-Seokang tested a number of alternative materials with higher heat resistance.
"With a melt temperature of 343C (649degF), Victrex Peek polymer met all the requirements," says Ragan.
"Not only does it offer higher heat resistance, but also electrical reliability, chemical resistance and outstanding physical properties".
Victrex Peek film is used to coat the spacer, which is a washer-like shaped component.
The thickness of the spacer between a diaphragm and a fixed electrode is 25 microns, creating an insulating space among components inside the microphone circuits where the spacer is used.
This distance determines the capacitance between the diaphragm and the fixed electrode.
"SMD-type microphones are twice as expensive as common solder-type microphones," adds Ragan.
"For a company to be competitive in the market depends on how much cheaper it can manufacture the microphones because manufacturing costs are excessively high".
"By using Victrex Peek film for the spacers, Ole Wolff-Seokang is able to cost effectively produce its SMD microphones".
The company currently produces 3 to 4 million microphones a month.
The microphones are also used in PDAs, MP3 players and hands-free devices.
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