16 Apr 2004

LNP DRIVES LEAD-FREE SOLDER PROCESSING FORWARD WITH NEW HIGH-HEAT, IR-SOLDERABLE FR CONNECTOR MATERIALS

THERMOCOMP® HT SOLDER AND STARFLAM® COMPOSITES GIVE CONNECTOR MANUFACTURERS COMPETITVE ALTERNATIVE TO LOWER TEMPERATURE, BROMINATED MATERIALS

BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands — A range of new grades of high-heat connector materials introduced today by LNP Engineering Plastics have been specially designed to resist the thermal challenges of infrared (IR) reflow soldering, offer the shrinkage characteristics of widely used thermoplastic polyesters for easy drop-in replacement, and are formulated with a halogen-free, flame-retardant package that can be used in eco-label applications. These glass-reinforced grades – called THERMOCOMP® HT Solder composite and STARFLAM® composite – are positioned to replace lower-temperature materials used in lead-free solderable connector applications in the computer peripherals, telecommunications, and datacommunications industries.

The environmental impact of PWB (printed wiring board) manufacturing is coming under increased international scrutiny. Rapid advances in circuit technology mean a large number of electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, computers, printers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), games, and other peripherals) are rendered obsolete each year. Incineration or landfilling of non-recycled waste from these devices can potentially cause lead – a major component of conventional solder – to contaminate groundwater. Furthermore, traditional use of halogenated flame-retardants, while effective at suppressing the spread of fire, can release toxic and corrosive gases when burned. These perceived risks have resulted in a variety of global legislation that favor lead-free soldering (RoHS) and use of halogen-free flame-retardants (RoHS/WEEE).

The new THERMOCOMP HT Solder UF-1006 and THERMOCOMP HT Solder ZF-1006 compounds feature a matrix of resin blends and 30 percent glass. The former is based on polyphthalamide (PPA) resin, while the latter features a matrix of modified-polyphenylene ether (MPPE).

The new STARFLAM ECO-FR compounds are based on glass fiber reinforced PPA (high temperature polyamide), coupled with ECO-FR technology. STARFLAM UF-1003 is a 15% glass reinforced compound and STARFLAM UF-1004 is a 20% glass reinforced material.

All four grades offer high heat distortion temperatures of 260°C+, excellent dimensional stability, and excellent flame-retardancy.

Free of halogens, the new compounds are the latest product offerings to utilize LNP’s new flame-resistance technology to help meet growing eco-label application demand. Other products complying with ECO FR requirements at lower temperatures are available through GE Advanced Materials’ line of NORYL® PPO® resins, many grades of LEXAN® polycarbonate resin and a number of CYCOLOY® ABS/PC resin grades.

According to Charlie Crew, president, LNP Engineering Plastics: “We’re very excited about these new composites. They are workhorse materials that address the demands of lead-free soldering operations head-on and we strongly believe that they’ll be a real game changer in several key areas. By removing bromine, we’ve made these materials proactively usable in a range of eco-driven applications around the globe and have simultaneously helped to give our customers a competitive advantage.”

Reader enquiries

GE Plastics
Plasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands

Helen Vandebovenkamp
helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com

Tel: +31 164 29 20 97
Fax: +31 164 29 10 66
Netherlands

+31 164 29 20 97

helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com

www.geplastics.com

Notes for editors

LNP Engineering Plastics

LNP Engineering Plastics, a GE Advanced Materials Company, is a global leader in the custom compounding of engineering thermoplastics. The company operates 11 manufacturing plants throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia-Pacific and South America. LNP is known for innovative, value-added products and ultra-fast development of viable solutions for its customers. The LNP product line includes a wide range of specialty compounds for information technology, automotive, healthcare, electrical, industrial, and consumer applications. The company’s web site is located at www.lnp.com.

GE Advanced Materials

GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., GE Advanced Materials is the combined entity of GE’s former Plastics, Silicones, and Quartz businesses. Its offerings include:

• Silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, caulks, resins, and elastomers for a variety of vertical markets such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, and foam control, as well as the consumer “do-it-yourself” market (www.gesilicones.com);

• Engineering thermoplastics resins serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging (www.geplastics.com);

• High-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, and water purification industries. GE Advanced Materials is a leading supplier of quartz materials to the semiconductor industry (www.gequartz.com).

THERMOCOMP and STARFLAM are registered trademarks of LNP Engineering Plastics, a GE Advanced Materials Company.

NORYL, PPO, LEXAN, and CYCOLOY are registered trademarks of General Electric Company.