Program : Hard Disk Drive (A3)

Electrostatic dissipative (ESD) materials have been extensively used in semiconductor and electronic industries to slow down the charge removal process and prevent a damaging ESD event. ESD materials are mostly composed of polymer or plastics such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polyethylene which are electrical conductive by adding conductive fillers such as carbon black, graphite powder, and carbon fibers in the polymer matrix. The components are mixed together by using a twin screw extruder and then pelletized to be ESD compounding pellets. Subsequently, the ESD compounding pellets are utilized to produce the ESD containers by using the injection molding process. Nowadays, the ESD compounds for electronic parts containers are totally imported from abroad by the supplier who produces ESD containers using injection molding method. It is expected that the cost of the injected ESD container could be reduced by making the ESD compounds in Thailand. This will be beneficial to hard disk drive, semiconductor, and electronic industries in terms of the cost reduction of the injected ESD containers since the main component is polymer or plastic which can be locally produced. Based on the cost evaluation of the electronic parts container produced from in-house ESD compounds, it was found that the cost reduction is approximately 30-40% compared with the electronic parts container produced from imported ESD compounds. Furthermore, this project will enhance the productivity of local plastic producers and compounders for both huge companies and small manufacturing entrepreneurs (SMEs)

 Project Benefit :

The National Metal and Materials Technology Center is currently carrying out this co-research project with Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. If the project is successful, then Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. and other compounders will produce the developed ESD compounds for commercialization to injection molding companies. Finally, the ESD containers will be supplied to the end user such as hard disk drive, semiconductor and electronic industries.

Outputs:

- Field prototypes of ESD compounds. The plant scale of ESD compound will be sent to the injection molding company to produce the ESD containers which will be tested for ESD and cleanliness properties at end users such as hard disk drive, semiconductor and electronic industries.

- The knowledge will be co-patented between National Metal and Materials Technology Center and Bayer Thai Co., Ltd.

Project Leader :

Dr. Darunee Aussawasathien ( )

Research team : Chanpen Teerawattananon, Yuttana Kositsagul