Guenter, as I am sure you appreciate, this is a bit like asking what metals are used in solders
these days?
So any answer is going to be pretty general. ....Generally speaking the polymers used in
anisotropic/z conductives are pretty much the same as used in isotropic adhesives for similar
applications. (Z conductivity is not really dependent on the polymer but on the nature of the
conductive loading  employed, particle morphology, size and concentration.) In the past polymers
for conductives have been primarily epoxy based materials, but recent developments in adhesive
technology have seen an increase in the use of thermoplastic materials to aid repair and in the
use of
"hybridised" polymers. In these two or more polymer types are used to try and achieve the
benefits related to each individual type whilst minimising their individual disadvantages. This
is analagous to metal composites like WCu. These developments have been in addition to or
parallel with z conductives. Some Z conductives are based on solid adhesives. Zebra tape for
example where conductive stripes are laid on the tape to correspond to a connector pitch, or in
some elastomers where numerous columns of conductive are employed to conduct through the
bondline but not along it.

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: Guenter Grossmann <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2000 1:44 PM
Subject: [TN] Sticky question


Hi all

What polymers are used for anisotropic adhesives?

Best regards

Guenter

Guenter Grossmann
Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Testing and Research EMPA
Centre for Reliability
8600 Duebendorf
Switzerland

##############################################################
TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
##############################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF TECHNET
##############################################################
Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional
information.
If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
847-509-9700 ext.5315
##############################################################