Shin-Etsu Chemical develops new flame retardant technology for epoxy molding compounds used in semiconductors an environment friendly flame retardant system (1999.7.27)

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Chihiro Kanagawa) has developed new flame resisting technology for epoxy molding compounds used in semiconductors. The product incorporates a special "silicone flame resisting system" developed by Shin-Etsu in place of the antimony compounds and brominated epoxy resins used in the past.

In recent years, with consideration given to the environment, there is a trend in the semiconductor industry to use non-halogen materials (green compounds) that do not contain antimony or bromine. The system developed by Shin-Etsu is an environment friendly technology that anticipates this trend. Demand for molding compounds that utilize the new system can be expected to increase in the future.

Shin-Etsu Chemical had been developing flame retardant technology that does not use antimony or bromine at its Silicone Electronics Materials Research Center (Matsuida-machi, Usui-gun Gunma Prefecture). As a result of this work, based on technology developed through the company silicone operations that commands the top share in Japan, a new silicone flame retardant system was developed. With this development, Shin-Etsu has successfully satisfied "UL94V-0", the highest level in UL (international standard for flame resistance) without using antimony or bromine. Moreover, through adoption of this system, the reliability (moisture resistance and high temperature resistance) of the product has been improved significantly.

Shin-Etsu Chemical will market the product using the new flame retardant technology under the brand name "KMC-EC Series". Products in the series can be manufactured at the company's existing facility in the Gunma Complex (Annaka City Gumma Prefecture) and mass production will begin within 1999. The system is adaptable to all epoxy molding compounds for semiconductors and based on user needs, the new product will be applied to existing customers and adoption will be promoted among potential new customers. It is forecast that in 2000, the new system will be command about 20% share in Shin-Etsu's total molding compound production volume increasing to the majority in 2002.