PTM 7000-SP | Phase Change Paste

What is the shelf-life of the PTM7000-SP?

Shelf-life refers to the amount of time the material can be kept when stored under the recommended storage conditions.  The shelf-life of the PTM7000-SP is 12 months when kept below 25°C and with less than 20% relative humidity (RH).

How is the material prepared prior to use?

If the material is supplied in 280cc cartridges, then the PTM7000-SP can be dispensed directly onto the stencil.  If the PTM7000-SP is supplied in 1kg can, then it is best to mix or roll the material prior to each use.  "Rolling" involves simply having the material "self-mix" which the can is being rolled (for this there is standard "jar roller" equipment).

Any recommended printing equipment, squeegees etc?

DEK TQ stencil printers, currently made by ASM Pacific have been proven to work well. DEK equipment has built-in stencil cleaners.  ASM also has recommended consumables to be used for printing.  Rubber squeegee blades need to be cleaned every hour if they are not used continuously.

How should I transfer it to the dispensing tanks?

This question usually arises from customers that wonder whether to pour or pump the material. Our current customers are all pouring PTM7000 into the dispense tanks.

Which packaging, the 1kg can or the 280cc aluminum cartridge is best recommended to use?

This depends on how you plan to apply the material.  If you plan to dispense from a cartridge (hardly anyone dispenses) using a nozzle, then a cartridge is recommended.  Also, if you plan to do much smaller batch sizes (ie less then 1kg at a time), then 280cc cartridges are better because you will lose less material per use.  Printing, however, is a high throughput process.  On any print cycle you will need at least 100cc of material on the stencil during printing which can coat many pieces per stroke.  You will easily use up 280cc of material per shift during printing.

What is the potlife of the PTM7000-SP?

Potlife (also referred to as work life) refers to the amount of time the material can be still be used after it has been opened.  When kept in the 1kg cans, the potlife is 12 hours from the time the can is opened.  When the lid is replaced and the can is closed again, you will have 48 hours to use the balance of the material.  The remaining material should also be remixed (or re-rolled on a jar roller) prior to use. 

Similarly, in the 280cc cartridge, the potlife is 24hrs if dispensed from the cartridge directly.  If the cartridge is opened to add material to the printer and then closed again, the balance of the material should be used within 24-36 hours.

The work life of this phase change paste is 1 hour at room temperature, for the material that has been poured into the printer. If the solvents are allowed to evaporate for more than that, you won't be able to properly print. That's a sign that the material has gone bad. Please note that the material is optimized for printing and not for dispensing.

What is the thickness difference before and after drying?  

It is typical to lose approx. 20% thickness due to solvent drying.  For example, a 300µm (0.3mm) thickness stencil of wet PTM7000-SP will result in 240µm (0.24mm) after drying.  If the thickness loss is more than 20%, then the can was not stirred or rolled and it is indicative of mixing issues prior to dispensing them on the printing equipment.

What is Homogeneity?

Homogeneity is caused by filler settling down during long periods of storage, if refrigerated, filler settling is much slower as compared to storing at room temperature. Refrigerated material should be thawed for 4hours before using.