3M Supplying Metal Mesh Film to Other Touch Panel Sensor Manufacturers for Next-Generation Touch Screens

Touch screen manufacturers and integrators have a new choice when it comes to touch sensor film options. In an effort to help the touch industry meet the growing demand for touch functionality in electronic devices, the 3M Electronic Solutions Division announced its new 3M Patterned Metal Mesh Film. This new film is targeted to increase design options and touch sensitivity for OEMs and ODMs, while enabling the next generation of touch enabled smartphones, notebooks and tablets.

“3M is committed to helping to deliver volumes that touch display manufacturers and integrators need to meet demand, so that the industry can avoid potential shortages which may stunt the growth of this burgeoning market segment,” noted Erik Lood, marketing manager, 3M’s Electronic Solutions Division.

The Advance Metal Mesh touch sensor film offers high conductivity and transparency in an exceptionally flexible material. With a target sheet resistance of 40 to 80 ohms per square, the patterned film enhances the design of highly responsive touch displays. In addition, the film’s random mesh patterning features very thin silver traces, each less than 2.0 microns wide, improving transmission, reducing haze, and virtually eliminating moiré. Exhibiting low pattern visibility and a transmission greater than 89%, the film delivers the optical transparency that device manufacturers demand.

The Metal Mesh film’s highly flexible material enables a wide range of design possibilities. The conformable film can be used in curved and foldable touch screen designs without diminishing performance. In addition, this solution can help boost yields, as the material’s flexibility greatly reduces the possibility of damaging sensors or cracking the conductor during processing. Suitable for diagonal sizes up to 17 inches, the metal mesh film can support most mobile device designs.

Made in a roll-to-roll process, the film also enables high-volume manufacturing of touch sensors. 3M plans to ramp up its total global touch sensor film manufacturing capacity to more than 600,000 square meters per month in 2014, which includes 3M Patterned Silver Nanowire Touch Sensor Film, 3M Patterned Metal Mesh Touch Sensor Film and 3M Advanced ITO Touch Sensor Film.