Covestro announces new polycarbonate film

The new type of polycarbonate (PC) film by Covestro is just 15 micrometers thin. The previous lowest value for non-structured films from the Makrofol brand was 125 micrometers.

Due to a new extrusion process, the company can now reduce this value. It offers the new film under the name Makrofol TF. 

Ultrathin PC films are used, among other things, in the electronics industry: for the electrical insulation of capacitors or for the manufacture of flexible printed circuit boards. Until now, they could only be produced using the rather complex solvent cast film technology. With Makrofol TF, now there is an alternative with an ultrathin thermoplastic extrusion film.  

The industry can also use the new film to produce very thin membranes, for example as sound transducers for loudspeakers. In particular, so-called track-etched membranes can be produced, which have pores with an application-specific, precisely defined size and density. To do this, the manufacturers of such membranes first irradiate films with heavy ions to create tracks. In a second step, chemical etching creates the pores.

Track-etched membranes have multiple applications in biology and diagnostics. They serve, for example, as filters in laboratory analysis or as cell culture substrates. 

Makrofol TF is a suitable material for the production of track-etched membranes: the transparent films are very homogeneous, inert with a uniform surface and isotropic mechanical properties. Other advantages of the PC material include its resistance to heat, durability over a wide temperature range, and high optical clarity.