SABIC Innovative Plastics expanded its LNP* Faradex* Compounds to Boost EMI/RFI Shielding of Electronics

BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands – February 15, 2008 – SABIC Innovative Plastics today announced the expansion of its LNP* Faradex* family of specialty compounds to help electronics manufacturers achieve lighter-weight, thinner-wall housings with enhanced shielding capability. SABIC Innovative Plastics’ new LNP Faradex compounds can deliver better electromagnetic interference/radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) shielding performance without increasing their loading of stainless steel fibers, thereby keeping costs and part weight down. Proprietary filler technology not only improves inherent shielding capability of existing loadings, but also increases modulus to enable strong and durable thin-wall parts. The addition of the new LNP Faradex compounds provides customers with an even broader range of EMI/RFI shielding performances and physical properties to help meet customer requirements.

The five new LNP Faradex compounds are alloys of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). They include three grades featuring non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardants (FR) for compliance with such environmental regulations as the EU’s WEEE and RoHS directives, and other eco labels. The two non-FR grades offer higher impact resistance than previous LNP Faradex compounds. Varieties of other base resins are also available based on customer requirements.

“To help our customers design streamlined, easy-to-handle electronic devices that can squeeze more functionality into the same space, we have created proprietary technology that actually increases shielding performance without any additional stainless steel fiber, and raises modulus by more than a third,” said Eric Jiang, LNP product manager, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “New LNP Faradex compounds offer manufacturers competitive advantages. These Faradex compounds offer EMI/RFI shielding performance without costly secondary operations as compared to typical molded polymeric products, so total cycle time and total system cost reductions are possible. As compared to the traditional metals used for EMI/RFI shielding, new LNP Faradex compounds provide not only design flexibility but also weight reduction while maintaining the required EMI/RFI shielding performance. We expect these products to be widely adopted in automotive applications as well as in housings for electronic devices and telecom applications.”

Applications for the flame-retardant grades of the new Faradex compounds include enclosures for virtually any small or medium-size electronic devices, such as servers, portable meters, and projectors. The non-FR grades are excellent candidates for digital camera housings and audio systems in vehicles. The new LNP Faradex compounds provide mechanical properties, part weight, and design freedom similar to those of standard unfilled base resins. Because their inherent shielding technology eliminates costly secondary steps such as applying a metallized layer to plastic components, manufacturers can potentially reduce total system costs. EMI/RFI attenuation permeates the part, ensuring consistent performance even in the case of surface scratches. Further, the ability to injection-mold new Faradex compounds enables intricate part design.

For more information on SABIC Innovative Plastics’ new LNP Faradex compounds, please visit the company website at www.sabic-ip.com.

Reader enquiries

Plasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands

Helen Vandebovenkamp

Tel: +31 164 292 097
Fax: +31 164 291 066
Netherlands
+31 164 292 097
Helen.vandebovenkamp@​sabic-ip.com
www.sabic-ip.com

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Notes for editors

About SABIC Innovative Plastics

SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building and construction, telecommunications and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP line of high-performance specialty compounds, under such well known brand names as Lexan*, Cycolac*, Geloy*, Noryl*, Cycoloy*, Valox* and Ultem*.

The Specialty Film and Sheet division of SABIC Innovative Plastics manufactures high-performance Lexan sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. The dedicated automotive organization is an experienced, worldwide supplier, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting.

SABIC Innovative Plastics is part of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the 10 largest petrochemicals manufacturers in the world.

* Trademarks of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV.

Media Note: The proper name of the company is SABIC Innovative Plastics, and excludes any abbreviations or variations when referring to the company. As an acronym, SABIC should be all caps whenever it appears in print.