APEL™ Cyclo Olefin Copolymer (COC)

APEL™, a cyclo olefin copolymer (COC) developed by Mitsui Chemicals using Ziegler polymerization technology, is available in film and resin form. The resulting material possesses a unique set of characteristics representing the best properties of polyolefins and amorphous plastics.

Distinguished by a high density, bulky structure, APEL is a norbornene-type composed only of C&H which is amorphous, optically isotropic and non polar.

The material possesses many characteristics inherent in polyolefins such as excellent electrical insulating properties and outstanding moisture resistance. In addition, it features good melt processability/flowability, good clarity and transparency, high glass transition temperature (Tg), exceptional moisture impermeability, impressive gas barrier qualities and excellent chemical and heat resistance.

Compared to other resins and engineering plastics, this Cyclo Olefin Copolymer has a lower birefringence and the highest refractive index (1.54) among commercialized COCs and other cyclo olefin polymers, making it ideal for use in high performance film, optical lens and packaging applications such as DVD players, recorders and SACD players, shrink film and in pharmaceutical packaging such as blister packs.

Refractive Index and Optical Dispersion	Optical Performance as Lens Application	Processing Performance as Lens Application

There are six grades of APEL Cyclo Olefin Copolymer available with strong transparency, water vapor barrier and heat distortion resistance. Five of the grades are available for general purpose applications and lower Tg grades are suitable for film extrusion. One grade is suitable for optical applications and injection molding applications. All grades exhibit good thermal, dielectric and electrical behavior, low shrinkage and low moisture absorption.

The heat resistant levels of the material can be controlled by modifying the cyclo olefin content in grades APL8008T, APL6509T, APL6011T, APL6013T, APL5514ML and APL6015T.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. directly supplies this Cyclo Olefin Copolymer to North and South America, through its U.S. subsidiary, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc. which is aggressively pursuing the development of new market opportunities for APEL.