SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, is launching today at the ECOC Exhibition 2022, EXTEM™ RH1016UCL resin, a new ultra-high-heat, near-infrared (IR)-transparent grade well-suited for injection-molded lenses used in co-packaged optical transceivers and other optical connectors.

EXTEM RH1016UCL resin is one of the first IR-transparent thermoplastics that can robustly withstand the 260°C peak temperature of printed circuit board (PCB) reflow soldering while maintaining dimensional stability of the molded part. The new EXTEM resin also provides high-throughput, precision micro-molding capability for enhanced productivity.

EXTEM RH1016UCL resin has been validated by a major technology OEM in the United States.

As data centers strive to accommodate demands for more bandwidth and increased data center transmission rates, network packet switching is experiencing higher power usage and greater latency. Co-packaged optics offer a mean reduction of power usage and latency. 

EXTEM RH1016UCL resin delivers multiple advantages for co-packaged optics. As a thermoplastic, it helps enable designers to create complicated geometries and leverage part integration. Good flow properties support thin-wall designs and efficient, multi-cavity molding.  EXTEM RH1016UCL resin demonstrates excellent dimensional and optical stability to avoid part deformation and retain signal integrity. On top of this, the material’s high refractive index and near IR transparency help elevate lens performance. 

“Using a special chemistry, we developed a new EXTEM resin with very high heat resistance that now supports the placement of optical interconnects with thermoplastic lenses close to the ASIC chip prior to PCB assembly,” said Gabrie Hoogland. “Co-packaging helps make the electronic signal path as short and seamless as possible to facilitate very high data transmission rates. To assist customers in adopting EXTEM RH1016UCL resin, SABIC’s global technology centers provide micro-molding capabilities, including state-of-the-art equipment to test optical properties and constants, metrology, reflow soldering stability and application (hydro)aging.”

Visit www.sabic.com for more information