What are the advantages of infrared optical sensor lenses using EXTEM resin?

The world’s leading diversified chemical company Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) recently introduced a major breakthrough in the production process of infrared optical sensor lenses. The lens uses SABIC’s EXTEM thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) resin, which can be used for intelligence. Applications such as proximity sensors and gesture recognition for mobile phones and other electronic products. Swiss molding company SOPROD SA uses SABIC's high-performance material with high infrared light penetration characteristics, and realizes mass production of sensor lenses by using multi-mold tools for micro-molding. Compared with the grinding and polishing of quartz glass and the curing process of epoxy resin, EXTEM resin has the advantages of high efficiency and mass molding, which can significantly increase the processing speed, ensure quality stability, and avoid high-cost secondary processing. This breakthrough of SOPROD provides a new and efficient solution for the electronics industry, helping to meet the market's increasing demand for infrared optical sensors.

Jean-Camil Pitteloud, COO of SOPRODSA, said: "With the excellent performance of EXTEM resin, we achieved great success when we first used thermoplastic resin for micro-molding. The high fluidity and low shrinkage of SABIC materials make them very suitable for small Mass production of precision parts. In addition, it can withstand the high temperature environment of lead-free soldering commonly used in the assembly process of devices. We are very pleased to develop this innovative manufacturing with the long-term expertise in the production of high-end watch movements Craftsmanship, which undoubtedly gives us a strong competitive advantage."

SABIC Global EXTEM Business Manager Andy Verheijden added: “From mobile phones to electronic game controllers to drones, infrared optical sensors are widely used in various new functions of consumer electronics. This cooperation with SOPROD proves the use of EXTEM The feasibility and many advantages of the resin micro-molding process to produce infrared optical lenses. Using this innovative process, our customers in the electronics industry can quickly produce the components required for the true next-generation equipment."

Infrared light high penetration characteristics and high temperature resistance

EXTEM resin can provide the key optical properties required for infrared sensor lenses, including high infrared light penetration, high refractive index, low haze and zero surface defects. EXTEM resin is available in two colors, natural color and black. Black absorbs visible light but transmits infrared light, which helps to improve the accuracy of the proximity sensor.

This resin can withstand extremely high temperatures (the glass transition temperature is 267°C/513°F) and supports lead-free reflow soldering processes suitable for assembly of miniaturized components.

Increase design freedom

EXTEM resin also surpasses traditional epoxy resin and glass in terms of design flexibility. The material can be injection molded into a lens with a free-form surface, while epoxy resin has geometric limitations and usually requires a substrate layer. The high-shear thinning properties of EXTEM resin facilitate mold filling, which is indispensable for small, high-precision parts. With more flexible design freedom and higher refractive index, EXTEM resin can reduce one to two layers compared to epoxy resin in advanced lens design.