Electronics applications of polymers continue to advance, and this report describes the major developments in the last decade, since the subject was last addressed in a Rapra Review Report (Report 22, 1989). This review is particularly relevant for the electronics, speciality polymers and electronic material supplier sectors, as well as technologists and academics involved in conductive polymer research.

The introduction begins with a look at the important properties of polymers, i.e., their electrical, mechanical, chemical and physical characteristics. The author discusses the role of polymers in printed circuit board (PCB) and related interconnect applications. This section describes the laminate materials employed in PCB production, including: glass fibre-reinforced epoxy resins, bismaleimide triazine/epoxy laminates, cyanate esters, polyimides, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyphenylene ether. He also mentions the use of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate in flexible printed wiring. The role of polymers in microelectronics production is reviewed, focusing on both negative- and positive-working photoresists. Dr Goosey surveys the progression in resist technology, describing the recent advances in lithographic techniques and the development of chemically amplified resists. Additionally, the various lithographic routes available for future semiconductor device manufacture are discussed.

The use of polymers in semiconductor encapsulation and packaging is described, charting the evolution and applications of chip scale technology and moulded interconnect devices. A section on intrinsically conducting polymers describes a range of materials which are now finding practical applications, while a section on light-emitting polymers suggests that commercial full colour displays will soon be available. A brief overview of the optoelectronic applications of polymers is also given. The final section is dedicated to polymers possessing piezo- and pyroelectric properties.

Dr Goosey is the Chief Scientist and Technology Fellow at Shipley Ronal. He has been the Chairman of the Printed Circuit Interconnection Federation (PCIF) Environmental Working Group for the last three years. He has over twenty years experience in the electronics industry, primarily in the use of polymers in electronic materials. He has published widely, and edited three books on polymers in electronics.

This review is accompanied by an indexed section containing over four hundred references and abstracts from the Polymer Library. These will provide the reader with a valuable reference for further information relating to the electronics applications of polymers.

CONTENTS

1 Introduction
2.1 Electrical Properties

2 The Important Properties of Polymers