POLYCARBONATE in Semiconductor Process Tools

The Benefit of POLYCARBONATE in Semiconductor Process Tools

The invention of polycarbonate has profoundly affected so many industries, including automotive and architecture, for windows and lighting needs, to name a few. However, polycarbonate is used quite extensively in Semiconductor Process Tools as well. 

The history of the discovery of polycarbonate as a usable plastic resin is quite debatable; both General Electric, through Dr. Fox, and Bayer, through Dr. Schnell, claim the invention as both patents were filed within seven days of each other. However, both companies became global leaders in the production of polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is an amorphous material known for its toughness with an impact resistance 250 times higher than glass. It is known for ease of processing and formability and for being a great insulator with high dielectric strength. While it does lack scratch and chemical resistance in harsh solvents, the material is most widely known for its transparency. This transparency allows design engineers to use polycarbonate in applications requiring see-through capabilities, such as windows and ports on process tools.

WHEN COMPARED TO ACRYLIC, POLYCARBONATE HAS HIGHER:

• Impact and strength resistance
• Chemical resistance
• Resistance to cracking, especially under stress

Though not as water clear as acrylic, the complete property matrix makes it a strong candidate for applications throughout the Semiconductor Process Tool industry.

Finally, polycarbonate is often coated to achieve further desired properties, such as applying a hard coat to achieve similar to glass abrasion qualities or ESD coatings to achieve antistatic properties protecting the application from potentially harmful static energy buildup.

PORT PLASTICS IS THE LEADER IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF MACHINABLE AND WINDOW GRADE POLYCARBONATE SHAPES USED IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES OFFICE FOR ALL YOUR SEMICONDUCTOR PLASTIC NEEDS.