Polyimide for Flexible Printed Circuits: The Superior Choice with APICAL® Polyimide Film

Flexible Printed Circuits: Essential Technology

Flexible printed circuits are integral to modern technology, found in everything from automobiles, portable phones, and SLR cameras to sophisticated military and avionics systems. Something as common as a notebook computer or tablet wouldn’t be possible without flexible printed circuit technology, which allows hundreds of tiny components to be electronically connected in a three-dimensional array. The critical role of polyimide for flexible printed circuits in these applications cannot be overstated.

Stringent Specification Criteria

The specification criteria that a polyimide film must meet are among the most stringent in the flexible printed circuits industry. APICAL® Polyimide exceeds these criteria because it was specifically designed for this exceptionally demanding application. As a result, all users of APICAL® Polyimide benefit from a precision product made with leading-edge technology. This makes APICAL® Polyimide the premier polyimide for flexible printed circuits, certified to IPC Specification 4202/1.

Superior Manufacturing Process

Starting with the manufacturing process, the superior properties of APICAL® Polyimide make it the best choice as a substrate for flexible printed circuitry. Produced in a clean room environment and 100% optically inspected for pinhole and inclusion defects, APICAL® Polyimide ensures the highest quality standards. This meticulous process guarantees that APICAL® Polyimide stands out as the optimal polyimide for flexible printed circuits.

Exceptional Heat and Chemical Resistance

APICAL® Polyimide’s 400ºF heat resistance allows for easy wave or hand soldering, making it ideal for flexible circuit applications. Its overall chemical resistance and alkaline etchability enable it to be chemically milled while enduring the rigors of flexible printed circuit (FPC) processing. This exceptional durability underscores why APICAL® Polyimide is the preferred polyimide for flexible printed circuits.

Reliable Mechanical Toughness

The physical toughness of APICAL® Polyimide allows it to be flexed reliably and repeatedly for millions of cycles. This makes it an invaluable material for flexible circuits that require long-term reliability and performance. Additionally, APICAL® Polyimide NP, developed specifically for the FPC industry, gives circuit designers the flexibility to match the polyimide film’s coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) closely to the CTE of copper. This matching prevents circuit curling during temperature cycling, further solidifying its position as the top polyimide for flexible printed circuits.

Unmatched Quality from Texas

APICAL® Polyimide, produced in our Texas plant, delivers properties no other polyimide film can match: superior web flatness, more uniform across-the-web properties, more uniform thickness control, and superior dimensional stability. These attributes are a result of the most advanced and precise processing equipment in the world, making APICAL® Polyimide the unparalleled choice for polyimide for flexible printed circuits.

Why Choose APICAL Polyimide For Flexible Printed Circuits?

APICAL® Polyimide Film is the leading polyimide for flexible printed circuits, offering unmatched heat resistance, chemical durability, and mechanical toughness. Its superior manufacturing process and exceptional properties make it the ideal choice for any application requiring reliable and high-performance flexible printed circuits. Trust APICAL® Polyimide for the best polyimide for flexible circuits in your advanced electronic designs.