Dow at IPC APEX EXPO: to Unveil FORTEGRA 351 Tech. to Enhance Toughness of Epoxy Systems

PHILADELPHIA -- The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) announced an expansion to its FORTEGRA toughening technology designed to help improve the toughness of epoxy systems for electrical laminates, as well as structural adhesives, composites, castings and coatings. FORTEGRA 351 toughening technology increases the reliability and durability of electrical laminates, helping the laminates to withstand high mechanical stresses during the drilling process, while also helping to maintain the thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of the laminate board. Dow will present the technology in San Diego at the IPC APEX EXPO Conference and Exhibition on Thursday, February 21st. The paper is entitled Effect of Toughening and E-Glass Sizing on Fracture Toughness and Delamination in High Thermal Stability Electrical Laminates. Dow representatives are available this week at booth 2127 at the exhibition to discuss the technology and the Companys broader offering for electrical laminates and electronics.

"FORTEGRA toughening technology from Dow offers three distinct chemistries to address industry needs, helping customers minimize changes to existing equipment or processes," said Akira Kato, global laminates marketing leader at Dow. "With the addition of the FORTEGRA 351 toughening technology, Dow offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of toughening technologies in the market."

The expanded FORTEGRA product line is based on dispersed pre-formed particulate toughening technology, which complements the existing proprietary Dow block copolymer technology introduced in 2007. The technology is designed to help laminate producers offer a toughened epoxy system with high thermal stability. These properties are increasingly important due to the introduction of lead-free solder, which requires higher assembly temperatures.

FORTEGRA 351 can help to increase the durability of the laminate board which can be prone to cracking and defects during the drilling process. The cracking of the laminate board during drilling and downstream part fabrication processes can present serious part reliability challenges.

Samples of FORTEGRA 351 epoxy toughening technology are now available for formulator evaluation by contacting a Dow technical representative. Dow is a global supplier of materials and technologies to the electronics industry, including the printed circuit board, semiconductor, interconnect, finishing, photovoltaic, display, LED and optics market segments.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the worlds most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dows diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Companys more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

Source: Dow