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Thermal and thermo‐mechanical modelling of polymer overmoulded electronics

Farhad Sarvar (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)
David C. Whalley (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)
David A. Hutt (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)
Paul J. Palmer (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)
Nee Joo Teh (TWI, Cambridge, UK)

Microelectronics International

ISSN: 1356-5362

Article publication date: 31 July 2007

729

Abstract

Purpose

The encapsulation of electronic assemblies within thermoplastic polymers is an attractive technology for the protection of circuitry used in harsh environments, such as those experienced in automotive applications. However, the relatively low‐thermal conductivity of the encapsulating polymer will introduce a thermally insulating barrier, which will impact on the dissipation of heat from the components and may result in the build‐up of stresses in the structure. This paper therefore seeks to present the results from computational models used to investigate the thermal and thermo‐mechanical issues arising during the operation of such electronic modules. In particular, a two‐shot overmoulded structure comprising an inner layer of water soluble and an outer layer of conventional engineering thermoplastics was investigated, due to this type of structure's potential to enable the easy separation of the electronics from the polymer at the end‐of‐life for recycling.

Design/methodology/approach

Representative finite element models of the overmoulded electronic structures were constructed and the effects of the polymer overmould were analysed through thermal and thermo‐mechanical simulations. Investigations were also carried out to explore the effect of materials properties on the overmoulded structure.

Findings

Models have shown that some power de‐rating of components is required to prevent temperatures exceeding those in unencapsulated circuits and have quantified the benefits of adding thermally conductive fillers to the polymer. Simulations have also clearly demonstrated the benefits of foamed polymers in reducing thermal stresses in the assemblies, despite their poorer thermal conductivity compared with solid polymers.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the thermal issues affecting the overmoulded electronics and gives some guidelines for improving their performance.

Keywords

Citation

Sarvar, F., Whalley, D.C., Hutt, D.A., Palmer, P.J. and Joo Teh, N. (2007), "Thermal and thermo‐mechanical modelling of polymer overmoulded electronics", Microelectronics International, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/13565360710818439

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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