Polymeric raw materials in electronics: high technology and sustainability for a sector in continuous evolution

The economic data of the electronic products industry are constantly growing. The Confindustria graphs of the last few years indicate a trend that stands at around 7% (source: ANIE - National Federation of Electrotechnical and Electronic Companies).

The high revenues of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced devices contribute to the positive numbers. The consumer is willing to spend more money as long as he obtains the latest generation of high-performance appliances.

The polymer raw materials produced by Covestro are competitive. They mark the difference as regards innovation and the response to the requests of the electronics industry both in the consumer and professional fields.

Polycarbonate, polyurethane and the latest generation films that shape electronic devices

Connected, light, active 24 hours a day and multifunction, electronic devices are part of everyday life. It is not just about smartphones but in a broader sense of smart devices that are radically changing every aspect of life. The standards and requests of designers and users become increasingly precise and mandatory. The requirements are very high both for the internal components (cables, circuits, and conductors) and for the external parts (shell, screens or accessories).

Covestro researches and produces raw materials that effectively respond to the needs of the most advanced electrical and electronic devices. Thermoplastic materials, foams, films, elastomers, TPUs, composite materials studied and dedicated for various electronic, electrical and household appliances applications: Covestro polymers are used in device casings and housings, screens or luminous panels, LED lights and photographic lenses, housings and battery isolation. terie.

Lightness

The portability and miniaturization of components are inversely proportional to the multiplication of functions. Many tasks brought together in lightweight devices with reduced dimensions.

Design

Customization and ergonomics are now indispensable. Projects increasingly designed to be used with ease and to be pleasant to touch and take with you.

Safety

Resistance to temperatures, mechanical stresses, and repeated uses. Components are suitable for daily use and in all conditions. From professional to consumer devices. tures, mechanical stresses, and repeated uses. Components are suitable for daily use and in all conditions. From professional to consumer devices.

Thermoplastic polyurethane in the shell of electronic devices: a winning choice

Covestro has developed a new class of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) expressly formulated for the construction of cell phone cases and other electronic devices such as tablets and notebooks.

The goal was to combine lightness, impact resistance and thin thickness. Research laboratories have worked on improving mechanical performance such as hardness, rigidity, elasticity, and flexibility. The result is a material with superior effectiveness in terms of impact resistance, the pleasantness of the finish, the infinite possibilities of coloring.

Particularly important is the capacity to absorb kinetic energy. Covestro polyurethanes have an impact on the resilience score of less than 20%, which is extremely low compared to about 45% of TPUs of equal hardness.

Covestro polyurethane is:

• strong - the material offers high mechanical strength and flexibility
• suitable for signal - has a low tendency to affect phone connectivity
• versatile - offers designers infinite possibilities in both shape and colour
• ultra-resistant - the durability of the material has superior parameters as regards resistance to thermal deformation, abrasion, UV rays, and chemical agents.

Covestro polyurethane cover: design and functionality for smartphones with an intense life

Smartphones are continuously handled, worn, placed. Having become practically extensions of the body, they are the electronic device that must bear considerable mechanical stress.

Cell phone covers must perform the dual function of protecting the device from the continuous use made of it and being pleasant and decorative. Therefore the raw materials to make the covers, in addition to ensuring a protective function, must have physical qualities and plastic ductility such as to create multiple designs and customizations.

Covestro's thermoplastic polyurethanes have been specifically designed to have the best performance in the creation of protective covers for smartphones with particular attention to the resistance to rubbing, color stability, shock absorption.

A cover produced with Covestro TPUs is:

• anti-stain: it does not absorb the colors of the fabric and maintains it's color unchanged
• transparent: does not affect the efficiency of the phone's connectivity.
• versatile: allows simple and precise processing in modelling and molding
• durable: it is resistant to abrasion, UV rays, and chemicals
• ultra-strong: it is flexible, adapts perfectly to the device, withstands strong mechanical stresses.

Polycarbonates and films for screens and luminous panels

Ever lighter electronic devices require thin screens, perfect vision, and reduced energy consumption.

Covestro was a pioneer in the production of screen and display materials that meet the stringent optical and mechanical requirements of the electronics industry. The special polycarbonate / ABS alloy designed for the body of the screens allows you to create housings with minimum thicknesses, up to 1.5 mm. The presence of a self-extinguishing flame retardant component makes it particularly safe and resistant to thermal deformation.

Covestro, always committed to environmental sustainability and the safety of its polymeric raw materials has eliminated the use of halogens as extinguishers in these polycarbonates and has provided for the possibility of recovery and recycling.

Films suitable for optical screens for augmented reality

AR (Augmented Reality) viewers require lightweight screen materials that meet the stringent optical and mechanical requirements of the industry.

Covestro has patented a specific transparent thermoplastic film coated with a photopolymer formulation. Its characteristics make it highly customizable with the substrate on which it is applied both in terms of thickness and holographic performance. The polymer film allows the production of light, thin, flat screens.

Covestro technicians can fully collaborate with customers' laboratories and make changes to implement projects that meet specific visualization needs.

Covestro photopolymer film is:

• customizable: holographic films that can be adapted to specific viewing needs
• light: reduces the final weight of the products, to allow users to manage them comfortably
• completely transparent: it has a sharpness similar to glass
• easy to use: it is compatible with standard lens production processes such as injection molding.

Polycarbonates and elastomers for high-efficiency LEDs

Covestro has long bet on LED lighting because it is energy-efficient, effective and sustainable. The laboratories have come to create a complete range of raw materials with excellent physical characteristics.

With Covestro polycarbonates, LEDs and illuminated bodies are created that have significant lumen per watt efficiency thanks to:

• transparency greater than 90%, which is similar to glass
• the ability to be worked in extremely thin thicknesses.

In terms of safety, there is high flame resistance, resistance to low temperatures and strong impacts.

The quality and ductility of polycarbonate have changed the way we use light and give great possibilities to designers. To this Covestro has added an elastomer to the catalog to give further design freedom in the encapsulation of LEDs, lenses, diffusers, reflectors, heat sinks, lighting fixtures or lighting components.

Attention to industrial processes and the cost/production ratio is answered in raw materials:

• dimensionally stable: they offer high reproduction precision.
• easy to use: the materials are suitable for both injection molding and extrusion.

Battery housings in electronic devices with polycarbonates

Batteries, adapters, and chargers power a wide range of electronic devices, power tools, and household appliances.

Since the housings come into direct contact with live parts, they must also meet stringent IEC test requirements for fire hazards. Polycarbonates and polycarbonate and Covestro resin blends offer proven performance. Our raw materials for batteries and chargers comply with UL 94 V-0 at 1.0 mm and have an RTI classification above 100 ° C.

In addition to the eco-friendly labels, thermoplastic materials are low viscosity and support inexpensive injection molding while maintaining superior quality. It is also possible to use laser or pad printing.