Hard-coated polyester film for cell phone screens

MacDermid Autotype has launched a hard-coated polyester film specially designed to offer excellent levels of clarity and scratch resistance for the displays of communications devices such as mobile phones.

The new film, called AutoForm PEG, is compatible with the latest Film Insert Moulding (FIM) techniques, also known as In-Mould Labelling (IML).

AutoForm PEG is suitable for use in a wide range of devices incorporating flat or curved windows.

The film's superior optical clarity results in displays that are both easy to view and that offer a high quality cosmetic finish.

The AutoForm polyester film is hardcoated, making it extremely resistant to scratches and abrasions, as well as vigorous cleaning, ensuring that a high level of optical clarity is maintained for the life of the display.

The film is designed for the Film Insert Moulding process, which enables high quality decorated plastic parts to be manufactured simply and cost effectively.

The process involves screen printing the relevant artwork onto the second surface of a flat piece of hardcoated film, which is then formed either by thermoforming or high pressure forming to produce a 3-D part.

The film is then die cut and finally back injection moulded; no post mould processing is required.

The new film is designed to work with a wide range of FIM screen printing inks and is also fully compatible with production processes such as sputtering, to enable a high class metallic finish to be achieved on the film's second surface.

AutoForm PEG is available in 75, 130 and180um thicknesses, making the film suitable for thin-walled moulded parts.

The film's suitability for shallow forming makes it possible to produce integrated windows and mobile phone housings from one piece of film.