Halogen-Free Resin Composition for Millimeter-Wave Radar PCBs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printed wiring boards for high-frequency applications face challenges in achieving low dielectric constant and dissipation factor, heat resistance, and flame retardance while minimizing environmental impact, particularly for millimeter-wave radar systems.

Innovation Solution

A resin composition comprising a compound with a maleimide group, a divalent group with at least two imide bonds, and a saturated or unsaturated divalent hydrocarbon group, combined with a halogen-free flame retardant, such as phenol-based, phosphite-based, or thioether-based antioxidants, to create a resin layer-provided support, prepreg, laminate sheet, and multilayer printed wiring board with improved high-frequency properties and reduced environmental burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyphenylene ether and thermosetting resin are used concurrently to achieve low transmission loss, then high frequency properties are improved, but heat resistance and flame retardance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh frequency propertiesVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite resin system combining polyphenylene ether (PPE) with specific thermosetting resins (polyimide or bismaleimide) to achieve both low transmission loss and high heat resistance. The composite formulation allows the PPE to provide excellent high frequency properties while the thermosetting resin contributes heat resistance and flame retardance, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the resin system by selecting specific thermosetting resins with high glass transition temperatures and appropriate curing agents. By adjusting the ratio and type of thermosetting resin (polyimide or bismaleimide) in the composite, the formulation achieves optimal balance between transmission loss characteristics and thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If halogen-based flame retardants are used to achieve flame retardance, then flame resistance is improved, but environmental burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame retardanceVSAvoidenvironmental burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates halogen-based flame retardants from the resin composition, replacing them with halogen-free alternatives. This removal of harmful substances maintains the flame retardant function while eliminating the environmental burden associated with halogen compounds, particularly in the context of millimeter-wave radar applications where environmental compliance is critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs halogen-free flame retardants that can be effectively incorporated into the thermosetting resin system without requiring complex additional processing. These alternative flame retardants provide sufficient flame protection for the application while being environmentally acceptable, replacing the need for persistent halogen-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If polyphenylene ether and polybutadiene resin are combined to improve compatibility and heat resistance, then adhesive property and flame retardance are improved, but dielectric constant increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive propertyVSAvoiddielectric constant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality control by carefully limiting the content of polybutadiene resin in the composite formulation. Rather than using polybutadiene extensively, the invention incorporates it in controlled amounts sufficient to provide the necessary adhesive properties and flame retardance, while minimizing its impact on the dielectric constant. This localized application of the polybutadiene component resolves the contradiction between adhesive improvement and dielectric performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resin composition achieves excellent high-frequency properties, heat resistance, and flame retardance, with reduced transmission loss and environmental impact, enabling the production of high-performance printed wiring boards for millimeter-wave radar systems without halogen-based compounds.

Implementation Method 1

a resin composition which contains a polyphenylene ether resin and a polybutadiene resin as a base and can exhibit improved compatibility, heat resistance, thermal expansion properties, adhesive property to a conductor, flame retardance, and the like as a semi-IPN is formed at the production stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a halogen-free flame retardant, such as phenol-based, phosphite-based, or thioether-based antioxidants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame Retardance:

Data Source

PatentEP3489300B1Resin composition, resin layer-provided support, prepreg, laminate sheet, multilayer printed wiring board, and printed wiring board for millimeter-wave radar
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 RESONAC CORP
  • EP3489300B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP3489300B1 patent drawingFigure 2(p)~2(r)
  • EP3489300B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a resin composition containing (A) a compound having a maleimide group, a divalent group having at least two imide bonds, and a saturated or unsaturated divalent hydrocarbon group and (B) a halogen-free flame retardant.