QPAC 100 poly(propylene/cyclohexene carbonate) is part of our unique family of carbon dioxide-based polymeric binders called QPAC poly(alkylene carbonate). QPAC 100 poly(propylene/cyclohexene carbonate) is commercially available. Our industry-leading family of binders can be customized to your specific application. QPAC binders are soluble in many common solvents. While they are not soluble in water, a water-based emulsion is available for QPAC 40 only. Empower Materials polymers feature an exciting blend of unique properties that translate into superior performance for advanced ceramics, sealing glasses, thick film paste systems, powdered metals, composites, and MEMS structures. The decomposition is rapid, efficient, and occurs at low temperatures with minimal residual. QPAC binders decompose completely in air by 300°C, starting at 200°C. This decomposition temperature is at least 100°C below that of many binders currently used. Complete burnout of our polymers occurs by 340°C in inert atmospheres, e.g., in nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen, and a reduced atmosphere. Under vacuum processing, the burnout temperatures are even lower. Binder burnout times can be significantly reduced when producing dielectric materials, FPD components, diamond cutting tools, brazing pastes, solid electrolytes, fuel cells, sealing glass materials, or electronic inks. The complete burnout of QPAC binders yields strong sintered parts, virtually contaminant-free. Ash residues are typically less than 10 ppm for pure binder. Based on 3% binder use levels, residual ash in finished parts would be well under 2 ppm, suitable for applications where purity is essential. QPAC binders and sacrificial materials are also unique in that they burn out mildly, without violent gas formation. Thus, whether your process operates in an oxidizing, reducing, or inert atmosphere, you can expect fewer rejects due to cracking. You can also easily predict decomposition, giving you more reliable control and higher-quality products. In our lab tests, as well as tests at customer facilities, green and fired strengths and densities of parts produced with QPAC binders match those made with commercial binders that either decompose incompletely or decompose at much higher temperatures.
Empower Materials is the leading manufacturer of polyalkylene carbonate polymers, producing one of the largest portfolios trading under the QPAC trade name. QPAC 40 polypropylene carbonate is the most commonly used of the portfolio. Customers around the world depend on this material for numerous binder applications, as it acts as the polymer "glue" holding particles together. As a result, it plays a central role in forming shapes and components across many industries, including semiconductor fabrication. QPAC polymers are exceptional binders because they deliver strong adhesive properties and outstanding mechanical properties relevant to the "green" part ahead of sintering. However, the thermal decomposition properties are the standout performers. QPAC binder burns out consistently and easily at low temperatures in many kinds of furnace environments. Compared with other conventional binders, there are extremely low levels of ash residue and contaminants left behind after the burnout step. These properties are key in semiconductor applications because any residual contamination can severely impact the final product's electronic or ionic conductivity. Several materials in semiconductor fabrication are also negatively affected by high temperatures associated with the debinding step. Since QPAC can be extracted at lower temperatures, this prevents any adverse reactions in the materials being bound together. QPAC has superb debinding properties and exemplary cleanliness regarding decomposition components. Atmospheric furnaces release water and CO 2 as the two primary byproducts of decomposition. Whereas in inert environments, propylene carbonate vapor is also released. Yet, it is relatively simple to remove this harmless vapor from the furnace. This enables a cleaner fabrication environment overall and boosts furnace throughput as there is no carbon buildup on the equipment. QPAC®40 polypropylene carbonate rises to the most demanding of challenges when using low-sintering silver adhesive, as it can break down at temperatures as low as 150-200 °C when applied to the metal. This facilitates complete binder evaporation prior to sintering. It should also be noted that only CO 2 and water are produced during the debinding process of QPAC®40. This enables the construction of an extremely fine pore structure in the final part. QPAC®40 can also cleanly decompose, leaving virtually no residue, in inert and vacuum debind environments. Therefore, QPAC®is a prime choice for this application. This is what is driving the increased attention and evaluation of the low-temperature nano silver Die Attach process. QPAC 40 is available in a wide range of molecular weights to provide flexibility in formulation control in parameters, such as viscosity.
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QPAC polyalkylene carbonate binders are critical to formulations for imparting cohesiveness, regulating viscosity, and improving structural integrity. The binders produce significantly lower residue after firing, providing improved thick-film product performance. They also decompose efficiently during short firing processes at relatively low temperatures. QPAC has been used for several years in thick film pastes that provide metallization for substrates such as Aluminum Nitride and Barium Titanate. It is an ideal binder system for Cu and Ni metallization, and its benefits have been demonstrated in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) and LTCC. The QPAC binder systems have burn-out efficiency that is as good or better than that of other binder materials, such as ethyl cellulose. It can be formulated to provide the required viscosity characteristics, giving it a high resolution for screen-printing applications. Clean-burning QPAC 40 polypropylene carbonate binder is also used to formulate front-side solar cell thick film pastes. The paste features are nearly identical to commercially available pastes in characteristics, such as solids loading, rheology, and fineness of the grind. Key Benefits: - Viscosities and molecular weights can be custom-tailored for a specific solution or paste requirements - Both grades of QPAC are naturally “tacky,” and degrees of plasticity can be adjusted as necessary - Excellent green strength and adhesion to substrates - Decomposition is complete through three phases: solid, liquid, and vapor - Upon decomposition, QPAC leaves very low ash residue with the complete burnout of carbon. - Decomposes completely between 220°C – 350°C, which can be as much as 100°C below the decomposition temperatures of other binders - Excellent rheology properties and suspension stability Applications include: - Solar Inks - Solar Pastes - Electrode Inks - Termination Inks - Nanoparticle Inks - Other Miscellaneous Inks
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QPAC polymers are utilized in various applications, such as pressing and tape casting operations, sealing glass, thick film paste systems, powdered metals, composites, and MEMS structures. Their unique combination of properties ensures high performance in these demanding processes. QPAC poly(alkylene carbonate) polymers can be processed using typical thermoplastic processing techniques, including solution processing, spin casting, injection molding, or extrusion. Virtually No Residue / No contamination - < 10 ppm residue ash and metal Low Temperature Clean Burnout - Onset at 220°C complete at 350°C or lower All Sintering Atmospheres - Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, hydrogen, Vacuum (oxygen generated in debind) Benign Emissions - Water and CO2 Excellent Green Strength - Tacky, High Molecular Weight, amorphous, thermoplastic, polymer, allows high density green shaped, tapes, films, and other structures. The low Tg also provides good flexibility and adhesion. Controlled Debind - Polymer chain unzipping means controlled migration of debind emissions through part. Also results in excellent pore size management. Thermogravimetric analyses in both air and nitrogen show complete decomposition of QPAC 40 poly(propylene carbonate) at low temperatures, with a heating rate of 10°C/minute.
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QPAC PBC poly(butylene carbonate) is part of our unique family of carbon dioxide-based polymeric binders called QPAC poly(alkylene carbonate). Polybutylene carbonate has been produced on a limited scale commercially. Our industry-leading family of binders can be customized to your specific application. QPAC binders are soluble in many common solvents. While they are not soluble in water, a water-based emulsion is available for QPAC 40 only. Empower Materials polymers feature an exciting blend of unique properties that translate into superior performance for advanced ceramics, sealing glasses, thick film paste systems, powdered metals, composites, and MEMS structures. The decomposition is rapid, efficient, and occurs at low temperatures with minimal residual. QPAC binders decompose completely in air by 300°C, starting at 200°C. This decomposition temperature is at least 100°C below that of many binders currently used. Complete burnout of our polymers occurs by 340°C in inert atmospheres, e.g., in nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen, and a reduced atmosphere. Under vacuum processing, the burnout temperatures are even lower. Binder burnout times can be significantly reduced when producing dielectric materials, FPD components, diamond cutting tools, brazing pastes, solid electrolytes, fuel cells, sealing glass materials, or electronic inks. The complete burnout of QPAC binders yields strong sintered parts, virtually contaminant-free. Ash residues are typically less than 10 ppm for pure binder. Based on 3% binder use levels, residual ash in finished parts would be well under 2 ppm, suitable for applications where purity is essential. QPAC binders and sacrificial materials are also unique in that they burn out mildly, without violent gas formation. Thus, whether your process operates in an oxidizing, reducing, or inert atmosphere, you can expect fewer rejects due to cracking. You can also easily predict decomposition, giving you more reliable control and higher-quality products. In our lab tests, as well as tests at customer facilities, green and fired strengths and densities of parts produced with QPAC binders match those made with commercial binders that either decompose incompletely or decompose at much higher temperatures.
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