MAKING SENSE OF UL 2360 COMPLIANCE

Plastics in Chip Fabs: Understanding the Fire Risk

The use of plastic materials in semiconductor fabs presents a significant risk of fire exposure, including property and asset loss. One obvious way to mitigate the risk is to limit plastics usage; however, plastics fill a critical role in so many applications that other traditional materials cannot fill.

FM 4910 – The Cleanroom Materials Flammability Standard

In 1997, Factory Mutual (FM) released The Cleanroom Materials Flammability Test Protocol, commonly referred to as FM 4910. This standard is the most recognized industry standard for the evaluation of materials used in the construction of cleanrooms and the plastic materials used to fabricate the components within the process tools found in the cleanroom. As material manufacturers needed to develop new materials to fill the void created by the FM 4910 requirement, the FM 4910 test protocol became an issue, as the unique apparatus required to test is not available, and the testing is expensive and complex.

UL 2360: A New Combustibility Standard

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) developed a test method and certification process that uses an ASTM Cone Calorimeter to evaluate materials on three key criteria:

• Thermal Response Parameter (TRP)
• Fire Propagation Index (FPI)
• Smoke Damage Index (SDI)

Twenty-five years after the UL 2360 standard was released, this specification is gaining traction as a complement to FM 4910 compliance for testing the combustibility of materials for use in cleanrooms and process tools.

Evolving Requirements in Chip Manufacturing

Chip fabs are further limiting the plastic materials that do not meet FM 4910 and UL 2360 Class 1 or 2 certifications. UL-94 flammability ratings are losing relevance for use in fabs and cleanroom equipment, as this older test standard does not account for material combustibility or smoke propagation.

The looming issue is how to specify materials that are selected to perform specific functions through a balance of chemical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties that maintain the ultra-pure, non-leachable qualities required—while still meeting FM 4910 or UL 2360 Class 1 or 2 compliance. The basket of materials that meet these standards is quite limited.

Port Plastics – Your Partner in Compliance

Port Plastics is the industry expert to assist in neutral material selection for semiconductor applications, combining our deep domain expertise with our expansive footprint. Contact your local Port Plastics sales office for everything semiconductor plastic! www.PortPlastics.com