Vectra® LCP Gives Auto Sensor Housing from Spectrum Plastics Needed Precision, Dimensional Stability


Sensor Expo, Rosemont, Ill., June 12, 2007 - Vectra® liquid crystal polymer (LCP) from Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, gives Spectrum Plastics the precision molding and high dimensional stability it needs when molding the open-cavity package for a car-safety-system stability sensor.

Spectrum Plastics, a business of Barnes Group Inc., produces multiple versions of open-cavity packages ranging from 12 to 20 leads. This package, which measures 0.19 by 0.625 by 0.75 in. (5 by 16 by 19 mm), is designed to hold a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) installed by the customer. Spectrum Plastics fabricates the package using its proprietary reel-to-reel technology in which it feeds a continuous strip of lead frames and overmolds them in a multi-station molding line containing multi-cavity tools.

Polymer performance is critical for this safety system element, which must remain sealed and perform reliably for the life of a car. Given this, Spectrum Plastic's customer selected Vectra LCP to gain micron-level tolerances, the ability to minimize dimensional change in molding, and the thermal stability to withstand lead-free soldering to 280°C or more. The LCP also helps make the molding operation more efficient because of its wide processing window for flow, temperature, injection rate and other parameters, as well as good cycle time.

The high-volume molding for this MEMS product is done under 100,000 clean-room conditions. In producing this part, Spectrum Plastics must meet a zero-defect standard, as well as strict requirements for the housing, lead frame and plating. It uses statistical process control to ensure the housing meets micron tolerances. In addition, it performs a range of post-processing inspections that involve testing for particle size and count, moisture level, the absence of flow lines and voids, and lead frame integrity regarding the wire bond and solderability.

For more information
For more information on Spectrum Plastics and its technology, contact: Spectrum Plastics, 401 Birmingham Blvd. Ansonia, CT 06401. Phone: (203) 736-5200. Email: dkelly@spectrumplastics.com. Or visit: spectrumplastics.com

For more information on Vectra LCP for use in sensor housings and other electronics uses, contact: Ticona, 8040 Dixie Highway, Florence, KY 41042, USA. Phone: 1-800-833-4882. Email: prodinfo@ticona.com. In Europe: Ticona GmbH, Professor-Staudinger-Strabe, D-65451 Kelsterbach, Germany. Phone: +49-(0)180-584-2662 (DE) or +49-(0)693-051-6299 (EU). Email: infoservice@ticona.de. Or visit: www.ticona.com.

About Spectrum Plastics and Barnes Group Inc.

Spectrum Plastics, an operating unit of Barnes Group Inc., was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Ansonia, Conn. It employs nearly 100 people and operates a 66,000-ft2 production facility. It is the largest U.S. reel-to-reel molder. As a global supplier of precision injection molded thermoplastic parts, it provides design, tooling, prototyping and full-scale production.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2007, Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE:B) is an international aerospace and industrial components manufacturing and distribution company focused on achieving consistent, sustainable and predictable results. Founded in 1857, it consists of three businesses: Barnes Aerospace, Barnes Distribution and Barnes Industrial. Over 6,600 employees at more than 65 locations worldwide contribute to its success. The company has paid cash dividends to stockholders on a continuous basis since 1934. For more information, visit www.barnesgroupinc.com.

About Ticona and Celanese

Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products , and achieved net sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com.

As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.

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