Thank-Metal Launches High Performance Pressure Sensitive Tapes Made with APTIV(TM) Films


Thank-Metal's "Tough Tape(TM)", made with APTIV® Films

Tokyo - Victrex Japan Inc., an innovative leading manufacturer of high performance materials, including VICTREX® PEEK(TM) polymer, VICOTE® Coatings and APTIV(TM) Films, has announced that Thank-Metal Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of precision machines and metal processing components for various types of batteries, has developed a high performance pressure sensitive tape, the "Tough Tape(TM)", made with APTIV Films; one of the highest performing films in the world made with VICTREX PEEK polymer.

This is the first domestically manufactured high performance tape that uses APTIV Films. Thank-Metal is aiming at driving demand in battery applications, especially for protective tabs used in cylinder lithium battery 18650.

APTIV Films is ideal as a high performance tape backing material due to the inherent properties of VICTREX PEEK polymer. This high performance pressure sensitive tape made with APTIV Films has an excellent range of properties that surpasses polyimide, PEI, and PTFE tapes. When compared to polyimide backed tapes, it offers improved chemical resistance, better tear strength, lower moisture absorption, and improved barrier properties. Moreover, when compared to PTFE backed tapes, APTIV Films pressure sensitive tapes offer superior mechanical properties, improved abrasion resistance, higher dielectric strength, lower smoke and toxicity release, lower permeability and lower specific gravity.

The manager of the new business development department at Thank-Metal, Mr. Kobayashi says, "We have operated our business in the electronic industry through developing and distributing Expanded Metal Mesh products for various types of battery electrodes. We have recently found out that the battery industry is seeking tape products with excellent strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance that could be used in insulation applications and have been continuing our research and development in this field as our new business segment. As a result, we have decided on the APTIV Films for its excellent properties as the most suitable tape material that meets our customer demand to develop our company's first tape product". Hence, "we anticipate that our Tough Tape will add another option to our customers' product in the electronic industry since there were only limited amount of high performance pressure sensitive tapes with superior mechanical properties."

Thank-Metal's Tough Tape made with APTIV Films can be adhered to many different hard mating surfaces such as steel, ceramic or glass. The tapes are available in 25µm backing thickness and in a range of widths depending on customers' need. Thank-Metal will seek demand in the electronic and semiconductor equipment industries as their main targets looking for dielectric tapes. Moreover, they expect demand in a wide range of areas such as automotive, aerospace, industrial, lighting, and batteries that need abrasion resistance and electrical insulation, as well as, wire coating and heat shields that require sliding bearings and abrasion resistance.

APTIV Film manager at Victrex Japan, Onuma says, "APTIV Films has the best combination of friction and wear properties combined with high heat resistance, chemical and radiation resistance, purity and electric insulation. In addition, the tape is hydrolytically stable with very low absorption and permeability and thus is an ideal material as a base ingredient for high performance pressure sensitive tapes. Able to withstand the higher processing temperature required when using lead free solders, APTIV Films provides an excellent material for use as a masking material in electrical applications. The film's key resin, VICTREX PEEK polymer, is FDA compliant, inherently halogen free, UL94 V-0 flame retardant, and as a thermoplastic are recyclable and comply with RoHS. It also meets a number of aerospace, automotive, fire, smoke and toxicity, food/water, and military approvals and standards as well."

About Thank-Metal:

Since the founding in 1973, Thank-Metal has operated as a metal processing expert. In recent years, they have been utilizing their experience and expertise to focus on developing tape products.
http://www.thank-metal.com

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