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Materials Information
Have a specific
polymer in mind? We
can process many other polymers, contact
us to discuss.
The
following is intended as a general guide to the materials
Paradigm Optics can work with to create optical fiber,
capillary tubing, and polymer fiber structures. For detailed
technical information, please follow the link to the manufacturer's
web site.
Please
scroll down for a comparison of these materials' characteristics.
If you would like more detailed information on the spectral
attenuation of various materials used for POF, please
contact us today.
Common
materials: PMMA (acrylic), polystyrene, and polycarbonate
have myriad manufacturers. We regularly work with these
materials.
|
|
Material
|
Description/Comments*
|
Link
to Manufacturer
|
| Zeonex |
Cyclic
Olefin Polymer (COP) with good optical properties. Excellent
chemical resistance and thermal stability. Several grades
available.
"Zeonex is an ultra high purity optical grade polymer
widely used in optical applications where Refractive Index
stability over high heat and humidity is crucial. It is also
used in medical and laser devices due to its exceptional chemical
resistance, low fluorescence and optical stability. " |
|
| Zeonor |
Another
COP similar to Zeonex. Also exhibits excellent chemical resistance.
Several grades available.
"Zeonor is a new family of products that offers an alternative
the the Zeonex product line. Zeonor 1020R has practical impact
equivalent to polycarbonate with great optical stability.
The structure of the Zeonor family allows the Tg range to
go as low as 100 deg C up to 160 deg C, while still offering
exceptional purity! Zeonor also has exceptionally low fluorescence
and is widely used in various medical applications." |
|
| Topas
|
An
exceptional family of plastic materials, Ticona’s Topas COC
resins combine excellent transparency, high moisture barrier,
high strength and stiffness, and very low shrinkage and warpage. |
|
| Udel
|
High
temperature, high index thermoplastic.
"excels in many fluid-handling applications. This tough,
rigid, high-strength thermoplastic has a heat deflection temperature
of 343°F (174°C), and maintains its properties over a wide
temperature range." Several grades are available. |
|
| Udel
P-3703 NT 05 |
Recent
variation on Udel 3xxx for better optics characteristics.
"UDEL P-3703 NT 05 is a special low color grade of polysulfone
designed specifically to serve the needs of the fiber optic/optoelectronic
industry. This grade offers light transmittance of 85-87%
at 650, 850, 1300, and 1550 nm. This resin also has a high
refractive index, nD, of 1.635. In addition to the desirable
optical properties, this grade offers the high-performance
engineering properties of polysulfone. These include high
heat deflection temperature, good toughness, excellent resistance
to oxidation and hydrolysis, and stable electrical properties."
|
|
| Radel
R |
High
performance polysulfone thermoplastic.
"For severe applications requiring repeated sterilization
or uncompromising toughness, RADEL R polyphenylsulfone stands
out. With its high heat deflection temperature of 405°F (207°C),
it can withstand continuous exposure to heat and still absorb
tremendous impact without deflecting or breaking. Plus its
chemical resistance surpasses that of most amorphous polymers." |
|
| THV
220G |
Optical-grade
fluoropolymer.
"THV 220 is a fluorinated terpolymer featuring outstanding
flexibility, remarkable optical clarity, good chemical resistance,
and high LOI. The THV family can be bonded to elastomers and
hydrocarbon based plastics. THV 220 is the most optically
clear of the THV family." |
|
THV
500G
|
"THV
500G has excellent permeation resistance and the ability to
be bonded to elastomers and hydrocarbon based plastics. It
can be used in automotive fuel hoses as a barrier layer. THV
500 can also be extruded or compression molded into optically
clear sheet with oustanding flame resistance. THV 500 can
also be used in various film and tubing applications. THV
500 is weldable to itself." |
|
| *comments
in quotation marks are from each materials' respective manufacturer's
website and do not constitute any guarantees, express or implied. |
Material
Comparison Chart†
|
Material
Name
|
Material
Type
|
Index
of Refraction n(d)
|
Glass
transition temperature T(g),°C
|
Color
Notes†
|
| (poly)
carbonate |
(poly)
carbonate
|
1.58
|
140
|
clear
with bluish tint
|
| (poly)
methyl methacrylate (PMMA) |
(acrylic)
|
1.49
|
105
|
clear
|
| Radel
R (R-5XXX) |
polysulfone
|
1.672
|
220
|
(translucent)
light brown
|
| (poly)
styrene |
(poly)
styrene
|
1.59
|
90
|
clear
|
| THV
2030G |
fluoropolymer
blend
|
1.35
|
130‡
|
clear
with light haze, best optics of THVs
|
| THV
220G |
fluoropolymer
blend
|
1.36
|
124‡
|
clear
with some haze
|
| THV
500G |
fluoropolymer
blend
|
1.35
|
165‡
|
clear
with some haze
|
| Topas
5013 |
COC
|
1.53
|
130
|
clear
|
| Topas
6013 |
COC
|
1.53
|
140
|
pale
yellow tint
|
| Topas
6017 |
COC
|
1.53
|
170
|
clear
|
| Udel
P3700 HC (High Clarity) |
polysulfone
|
1.635*
|
185*
|
clear
with bluish tint
|
| Udel
P3703 NT 05 |
polysulfone
|
1.635
|
174**
|
light
yellow tint
|
| Udel
P3500 |
polysulfone
|
1.63
|
185
|
yellow
tint
|
| Zeonex
330R |
COP
|
1.509
|
123
|
clear
|
| Zeonex
480 |
COP
|
1.525
|
138
|
clear
|
| Zeonex
480R |
COP
|
1.525
|
138
|
clear
|
| Zeonex
690R |
COP
|
1.530
|
136
|
clear
|
| Zeonex
E48R |
COP
|
1.530
|
139
|
clear
|
| Zeonor
1020R |
COP
|
1.53
|
105
|
clear
|
| Zeonor
1420R |
COP
|
1.53
|
136
|
clear
|
| Zeonor
1600 |
COP
|
1.53
|
163
|
clear
|
*preliminary
**Heat deflection temperature at 264 psi (1.8 MPa)
†All data shown above (with
the exception of 'color notes') was collected from manufacturers'
published data sheets. For more detailed specifications, please
contact the appropriate manufacturer.
‡ Melting
Point
|
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Paradigm Optics, Incorporated.
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