Anaheim, CA — At this week’s Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition (OFC) and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC), SABIC is featuring the only transparent lead-free thermoplastic resin solutions for the fiber optic and telecommunications market. SABIC’s  ULTEM and EXTEM resins are innovative potential solutions for the fiber optic and telecommunications market’s next generation requirements that are less expensive, more sustainable, and more efficient than current materials commonly used in fiber optic connectors, housings and lenses in high heat environments. With the expected explosive growth of high speed fiber optic networks for commercial and residential applications, SABIC’s resins provide improved system performance compared to glass, metal and other thermoplastics.
 
“EXTEM resin, in particular, is an exciting breakthrough material for fiber optic lenses as it is the only infrared transparent thermoplastic material known to be able to provide dimensional stability while withstanding the high temperature requirements of lead-free solder reflow processing,” David Wildgoose, General Manager, Engineering Resins, Innovative Plastics, said. “This is especially important as the fiber optic industry is trending toward more sustainable solutions, as well as seeking alternatives for traditional materials.”   
 
The industry is constantly challenged to find cost effective alternatives to glass and other materials. SABIC’s ULTEM and EXTEM resins have the opportunity to provide enhanced value in the fiber optics industry by supporting better system performance at a lower cost. “These new developments for the telecommunications industry reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to materials innovation for our customers,” Wildgoose commented.
 
Compared to other thermoplastics, such as polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC), ULTEM and EXTEM resins offer higher refractive index and better dimensional stability, with significantly higher heat deflection temperatures (ranging from 200-285°C), while providing excellent infrared transparency for fiber optic applications. The resins’ elevated temperature resistance and inherent flame retardance enables a wider temperature range of application while maintaining stable optical properties ­ all while being RoHS-compliant.
 
The resins’ dimensional stability and high melt flow can also help drive down system costs. These characteristics enable the tight tolerances required to manufacture precision components such as parallel optics lenses and lens holders, allowing complex features to be integrated into the parts. In addition, since ULTEM and EXTEM resins utilize injection molding they allow greater design freedom ­ including the potential for consolidation of parts ­ that can help to lower system costs, a clear advantage over conventional glass lenses.

For more information about SABIC or other fiber optic products, click here to go to Utility Products’ Buyers Guide.