Novel formulation for grounding applications provides room-temperature moisture 
cure capability to protect heat-sensitive substrates while improving yield and 
enhancing reliability

Henkel continues to lead in consumer electronic material solutions and today 
announced its latest innovation, an electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) that 
cures at room temperature, improving yield rates and protecting sensitive 
structures within mobile device compact camera modules (CCMs). Designed to 
deliver robust electrical grounding performance, Loctite Ablestik ICP 2120 is a 
moisture cure ECA, which is a critical feature for safeguarding the thin, 
miniaturized substrates within mobile device camera components.

"Loctite Ablestik ICP 2120 demonstrates the power of Henkel's broad technology 
toolbox," comments Electronics Product Development Director Toshiki Natori, 
noting the formulation expertise required to deliver on multiple metrics. "Many 
ECA materials are solvent cure adhesives that require high temperature to fully 
cure.  Loctite Ablestik ICP 2120 uses a unique chemistry platform, creatively 
engineered through Henkel's scientific know-how, to satisfy demanding mass 
production and performance requirements."

In addition to its core electrical advantages, Loctite Ablestik ICP 2120's 
distinctive chemistry provides a low modulus (900 MPa @ 25°C) to ensure better 
drop performance, as well as a curing profile for fast room- or low-temperature 
(50°C for 30 mins.) cure to enable high volume processing, substrate protection 
and reduced energy consumption. Excessive heating of smaller, thinner, more 
complex CCM substrates can cause them to warp or shrink, impacting optical 
performance and decreasing yield, so limiting high-temperature exposure is 
essential. 

Importantly, as Loctite Ablestik ICP 2120 is designed for electrical grounding, 
its electrical properties have been optimized for excellent performance. The 
material has low direct contact resistance (DCR @<5/piece) as demonstrated on 
customer modules, and low volume resistance to ensure thorough removal of 
electrostatic discharge from the substrate for robust operation. In addition, 
with CCM functionality expanding while footprints remain comparatively small, 
heat generation may also be a concern.  Loctite Ablestik ICP 2120, which has a 
high thermal conductivity of 7.0 W/m-K, helps dissipate operational heat to 
improve performance and reliability. 

While initially developed for CCM multi-camera applications, Loctite Ablestik 
ICP 2120's characteristics may also be beneficial for other ECA applications, 
such as OLED display grounding or device-level EMI shielding, for example. As 
Natori-San says in summary, "The attributes of this ECA are quite distinct, 
allowing excellent electrical performance while protecting the delicate nature 
of many heat-sensitive miniaturized components and ensuring compatibility with 
high-volume production environments. This is a rare combination of properties 
and a notable advantage for mobile device designers."

For more information, visit www.henkel-adhesives.com/electronics.

About Henkel

Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The 
company holds leading positions with its three business units in both 
industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and 
technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the 
adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & 
Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many 
markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on 
more than 140 years of success. In 2021, Henkel reported sales of more than 20 
billion euros and adjusted operating profit of about 2.7 billion euros. Henkel 
employs about 53,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, 
united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable 
value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel 
holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel's 
preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more 
information, please visit www.henkel.com.

SOURCE: Henkel