19 Mar 2010

STANYL^® FORTII™ USED IN OPTICAL DISK DRIVES FOR COMPUTERS

DSM Engineering Plastics and FCI plug in the highest performance in halogen free reflow soldering applications

FCI, a globally leading supplier of interconnect products, has approved halogen-free V-0 Stanyl® ForTii™ for their FPC Connectors product line of Optical Disk Drives and is currently expanding the usage on various other connectors and sockets.

FCI was looking for a halogen-free housing material for its range of FPC connectors that would meet the stringent material requirements of SMT technology. After testing multiple LCPs and polyamides, Stanyl ForTii was selected for its unique properties which include high retention forces on terminal, minimum chance of warpage before and after reflow process, outstanding toughness and stiffness and compliance to the second best moisture level (MSL 2) according IPC/JEDEC J-STD 020D. Stanyl ForTii is also the material of choice for other SMT connectors and sockets.

Optical disc drives (ODDs) are an integral part of computers and stand-alone consumer appliances such as CD, DVD or latest Blu-ray disk drives. A crucial part of such an optical disc drive is the pickup head, consisting of the laser, a lens for focusing the laser beam, and photodiodes detecting the light reflected from the surface of the disc. The electrical connection to this critical component is made by Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) Connectors.

Motomu Kajiura, Assistant Manager, Product Engineering, at FCI Japan says: “For our latest halogen free, UL94-V0 compliant SFV series we have chosen Stanyl ForTii. Thanks to its excellent thermal and mechanical properties, we were not only able to fulfill our customers’ requirement for a flame retardant, halogen free solution, but could also increase robustness and reliability of our surface mount FPC connectors, making them less susceptible to potential housing cracking. FCI and DSM have been cooperating closely to develop this solution. FCI benefited from latest polymer developments and DSM could further expand application coverage with their newest polymer. Together we are able to support the launch of halogen free ODDs by major OEMs in the Electronics industry.”

Masaru Ueno, Business Development Manager Japan for DSM Plastics, who worked intensively with FCI, comments : “With Stanyl ForTii we did not only offer FCI a great material solution, we were also able to improve the application performance further ensuring easy and safe drop-in replacement of applied materials that meet Halogen Free requirements.”

Jimmy Kong, Application Development Engineer at DSM Engineering Plastics adds: “Stanyl ForTii provides a solution to our customers challenge in moving towards halogen free plastics. It is easy to process, can be used for so many different applications and fullfills the most aggressive processing and assembly conditions of reflow soldering.”

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Notes for editors

DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is one of the world's leading suppliers of quality engineering thermoplastics providing customer value through sustainable solutions that reflect the DSM People, Planet and Profit strategy. DSM Engineering Plastics delivers innovative opportunities for customers who design or produce electrical applications, electronic equipment, cars, barrier packaging films as well as many mechanical and extrusion applications. These markets are served with a broad portfolio of high performance materials including Akulon® 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel® TPC, Arnite® PBT and PET polyesters, Yparex® extrudable adhesive resins, and Stanyl® high heat 46 polyamides. Most recently, DSM Engineering Plastics has introduced the first new polymer of the 21st century: Stanyl® ForTii™ and EcoPaXX™, a bio-based, high performance engineering plastic. DSM Engineering Plastics had sales in 2009 of EUR 648 million and employs some 1600 people worldwide More on: www.dsmep.com

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company

Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.