Electronics Applications

FIBRIL nanotubes are used to make statically dissipative plastic compounds that are fabricated into devices designed for use in environments where particulate and chemical cleanliness is critical.

Burn-in and test sockets for ICs - this very new application is discussed in greater detail here Socket Applications (6KB PDF)

Silicon wafer handling during IC (chip) manufacturing - front opening unified pods (FOUPs), standard mechanical interface (SMIF) pods, wafer cassettes, reticle holders and smaller devices such as tweezers.

Computer disk drives - internal disc drive components as well as material transport and handling trays used in the assembly of disc drives.

FIBRIL nanotubes offer unique performance advantages for electronics applications.

Smoothness and cleanliness of the as-molded part – the small size and low loading of nanotubes ensures that the part will not slough (rub-off) particles that can contaminate a clean room environment. Plastic compounds containing FIBRIL nanotubes have demonstrated consistently lower liquid particle counts (LPC) then other technologies. In addition, the chemical cleanliness of the nanotubes insures negligible generation of volatile or extractable contaminants. For more details please read Cleanliness for Clean-Room Environments (133KB PDF).

Uniform electrical conductivity throughout the part and balanced shrink/thermal expansion coefficients – the small size and curvilinear shape of the nanotubes ensures a complete and random distribution throughout the part.

Minimal increase in base resin viscosity – the low nanotube loading means that the final compound will have a melt flow very similar to the base resin. This is important in filling small, tight-tolerance parts. It is also important in extrusion of thermoformable sheet used to make static dissipative trays.

Greater retention of the base resin’s toughness (without the use of impact modifiers) – the low loading of FIBRIL nanotubes needed to give ESD conductivity also ensures that the base resin properties are minimally affected.

Related Articles
Preservation of Physical Properties (170KB PDF)
Designing for ESD Protection using FIBRIL™ Nanotubes (96KB PDF)

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