Fakuma - Putsch aims PP compound at MIDs
German compound producer Peter Putsch launched a new PP-based compound at Fakuma 2008 that it claims will simplify production of injection moulded interconnect devices (MIDs).
The new compound contains a carbon-based conductivity component that is dispersed in the moulding material. This conductivity additive is exposed and activated by selective application of a laser beam to the material surface.
According to Putsch, the conductive tracks eliminate the need for metallization, taking MID production to a two step process of just injection moulding followed by laser melting.
Trials carried out at the Bayerisches Laserzentrum (BLZ) at Erlangen in Germany are said to have shown that good results are achieved using the same laser systems as used for current MID projects. Conductive pathways ranging from narrow tracks to large bands have been produced, with conductivity increasing with the laser intensity used.
Putsch said that the resulting tracks display a well defined edge along with long term stability over the typical operating range for PP.