POLYESTER FLEX CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTIONS AND FABRICATION METHODS FOR INK-RESISTANT FLEX CIRCUITS USED IN INK JET PRINTING

摘要

Flex circuits for use in ink jet printers. In particular, flex circuits for usein ink jet printers that include a polyester material layer supporting a pluralityof metal conductors, with the polyester material being a material suitable foruse in an ink environment with lower ink permeability and low moisture and inkabsorption than polyimide (PI) material. The polyester layer having low inkpermeability and moisture and ink absorption to prevent: catastrophic "inkshorting of conductors" failures; adhesion failures; corrosion failuresby direct ink contact with the conductors; and material degradation failuresthat may result if any of the materials are degraded by or react with the ink. Preferably,the polyester material is polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). The polyester baselayer is suitable for use in many major flex circuit construction types, including:both adhesive-less and adhesive-based circuits; and one-metal and two-metallayer circuits. Also, a method of producing an improved splice in a continuousTab Automated Bonding (TAB) style strip of circuits, using a suitable polymermaterial layer, that is stronger per area than other splices.