Applications
- Tanks (water, chemical, fuel)
- Semiconductor device test sockets
- Circuit boards
- High temperature components
- Integrated circuit chip carriers
- High-purity piping systems
- Semiconductor trays and boxes
- Electrical insulators
- Chemical tanks
- Piping components such as valves, fittings, pipe and tubing, filtration elements
- Wafer handling parts
- Wet benches and work stations
- Microelectronics
- Flexible tubing
- Components used to control static electricity
- Ultrapure water systems
- Vacuum wand tips
- Waste transfer lines
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Abrasion resistant in polishing slurries
- Resistant to corrosive acids
- Inert to common process chemicals
- Low outgassing characteristics
- Minimal contamination to flow
- Perform well in extreme heat; nonflammable
- Static dissipative properties
- Sophisticated joining equipment minimizes or eliminates possible joint contamination
- Cost effective
- Electrical insulating properties
- Low particle generation in bearing and wear applications
Materials
- Acetal (POM)
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
- Chlorinated Polotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE)
- Ethylene-Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)
- Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
- Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)
- Polyamide-Imide (PAI)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
- Polyetherimide (PEI)
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
- Polyphenylene Ether (PPE)
- Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polysulfone (PSU)
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
Did you know?
Semiconductors are made in special manufacturing facilities called fabs. Within these fabs are cleanrooms, which are enclosed areas with strict controls for airborne contamination, humidity, and temperature.
Sustainability Advantages of Performance Plastics
Recycling & Waste Reduction
- Single-use cleanroom materials like garments, gloves, and boot covers are recycled into items like plastic benches and chairs.
- Over 99% of manufacturing waste has been diverted from landfills due to such initiatives.
Purity & Safety
- 100% homopolymer PVDF offers high purity, doesn't leach, and doesn't support the growth of biological impurities. It's ideal for high and ultrapure applications.
- Plastic pallets offer better hygiene than wooden ones and can be sanitized for microbe-free storage during transport.
Cost & Efficiency
- Electrostatic discharge (ESD) causes over US$4 billion in lost profits annually in the semiconductor industry, with 25% component failures attributed to ESD.
- Performance plastics can dissipate static, reducing ESD events and saving billions.