A multifunctional transparent resin (cyclo olefin copolymer) developed independently by Mitsui Chemicals
Transparent High refractive index, low birefringence Stable dimensions Resistant to chemicals Resistant to heat; stiff Superior moldability Moisture-proof
Lens, optical parts, industrial parts, medical barrier sheet and packaging, film and bottle
APEL™ is a cyclo olefin copolymer (COC) that integrates the performance of polyolefin resins and that of amorphous resins. With the highest refractive index among the amorphous polyolefins, APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer is low in optical anisotropy and essentially low in birefringence. This makes it ideal for optical plastic lenses. With excellent moisture-proof properties, resistance to chemicals and non-attachment characteristics, APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer is also used for medical packaging material. Its many functions and superior characteristics create new potential for transparent materials.
With its high refractive index and low birefringence, APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer is ideal for high-transparency optical plastic lenses.
Camera lens unit for mobile phones
Pickup lens unit for optical disk
Extrusion molding sheets
Injection molding plates
With the lowest moisture permeability coefficient among transparent resins, APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer is perfect for moisture-proof containers and films.
APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer is so chemically stable that it exhibits a high level of resistance to acids, alkalis and polar solvents.
APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer has superior electrical characteristics that are inherent to polyolefins. It also excels in high frequency characteristics.
Amorphous qualities provide APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer with high levels of dimensional accuracy and freedom from dimensional variations due to water absorption.
As part of its mechanical properties, APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer is low in temperature dependency. It is possible to freely control its heat resistance by changing the copolymerization ratio between ethylene and cyclo olefin.
APEL™ cyclo olefin copolymer’s fluidity can be freely controlled by adjusting its molecular weight. This enables enhanced fluidity.
Exhibiting an extraordinarily low level of birefringence, it also has a higher refractive index than polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
The low level of birefringence, high refractive index and transparency are derived from a molecular structure that has both stiff main chains and bulky side chains. With their high density, the stiff main chains exhibit a high refractive index, while the bulky side chains lead to transparency due to their amorphous quality. The molecule itself has poor anisotropy that results in a low level of birefringence.
APEL™ has a higher refractive index than PMMA, but their Abbe number is almost equivalent.
With the lowest moisture permeability coefficient among the transparent resins, it is perfect for moisture-proof bottles and PTP sheets.
APEL™ displays outstanding moisture-proof properties.
It is highly resistant to acids, alkalis and polar solvents. This property is essential for cells for analysis and PTP sheets.
○ : Resistant and compatible △ : Attention required × : Not resistant and compatible
Given its mechanical characteristics, its temperature dependence is so low that it retains a high level of stiffness even at high temperatures.
It is superior to polyethylene and polypropylene in terms of gas barrier properties.
APEL™ is ideal for optical plastic lenses that need to have a low level of birefringence, a high refractive index, transparency and high dimensional accuracy.
APEL™ is used in PTP sheets that need to be highly resistant to moisture. Enabling gamma-ray sterilization and autoclave sterilization, it has also been adopted for cell containers for analysis, as they must be resistant to chemicals and have non-attachment characteristics.
APEL™ is perfect for packaging films and other applications that need to be tearable and shrinkable.
APEL™ is used for precision-formed products, which benefit from its low water absorption properties and chemical resistance.
