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The responsibilities of this division
are among the toughest technological challenges in the world.
It is charged with separating and refining of rare-earth metals,
an extremely difficult process because of the elements' similar
qualities. It also produces rare-earth magnets and is marketing
low-stress applications of epoxy molding compounds worldwide.
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Operations |
- Magnet Dept
Rare earth magnets (Nd-type, Sm-type, Ce-type)
Rare earth oxides, Rare earth compound, Rare earth metals,
Other new materials
- Organic Electronics Materials
Dept.
Semiconductor-encapsulating use, Junction coating resins,
Optical fiber coating-use silicone, High-purity silanes
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| For more Information
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Magnet Dept.(Rare earth magnets)
* Phone +81-3-3246-5246 FAX +81-3-3246-5367
Magnet Dept.(Rare earth, Rare earth compound)
* Phone +81-3-3246-5252 FAX +81-3-3246-5367
Organic Electronics Materials Dept.
* Phone +81-3-3246-5231 FAX +81-3-3246-5367
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Using its high-level separating and refining technology, Shin-Etsu
Chemical is extracting and merchandising various kinds of highly
purified rare earths. Rare earths are used in cathode ray tubes
and fluorescent lamps, including lights, as a sintering promoting
additive to ceramics, etc., contributing to increased functionality.
They are also used in electronic parts; automobile sensors;
MO, MD and other magneto-optical disks; high-performance catalysts;
fuel cells, etc., and a wide range of uses is anticipated for
them in the future, especially in high-tech fields. |
A family of 17 hard-working elements
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The 17 rare earth
elements include the 15 in the lanthanide series* (atomic
numbers 57 to 71) plus scandium (Sc, atomic number 21) and
yttrium (Y, atomic number 39). Each element has similar
chemical characteristics and they are always found in groups
of minerals called rare earth. The origin of the name "rare
earth" is connected with the fact that the first discovery
of these elements in 1794 was extracted from the Swedish
rare" mineral. The mineral was metal oxide with a high melting
point, that is, "earth." However, these elements themselves
are not necessarily rare. Actually, yttrium and neodymium
exist more abundantly than tin and cobalt in the Earth's
crust.
The oxide has a very high melting point, making reduction
difficult. Also, the similar chemical characteristics of
the elements makes it hard to separate and refine the elements.
* Lanthanoids:
lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium
(Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium
(Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (dy), holmium (Ho), erbium
(Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu). Promethium
does not exist naturally.
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| Characteristics |
Changing hats to suit
the job |
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- Fluorescent substances: In
fluorescent tubes, Y and Eu in combination generate red
light; Tb, La and Ce generate blue light and Eu alone produces
blue light. Rare earth elements are used to produce red
in CRTs and in fluorescent tubes, they generate a glow that
is very close to natural sunlight.
- Hydrogen absorption: Rare-earth
alloys are the A-Team when it comes to absorbing and releasing
hydrogen. Unlike more common alloys, they can absorb hydrogen
at room temperature because they maintain equilibrium at
low pressure.
- Magnetic materials: The elements
Nd, Sm and Ce feature excellent characteristics that enable
production of small, light-weight and powerful magnets.
- High-tech applications: Rare-earth
elements are used for critical components in mobile phones,
fine ceramics, superconductors, minidisks and many, many
others.
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| Applications |
Computers: Taking care
of your valuable data |
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Electric motors to control the
head and arms of hard-disk drives, pick-up control of magneto-optical
disks and the magneto-optical disks themselves.
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Shin-Etsu Chemical produces a complete range of rare earth magnets
including neodymium, samarium and cerium, and they are evaluated
highly. The range of their uses spans a broad field, from headphone
stereos to car sensors and actuators, motors for electric vehicles,
etc. In addition, Shin-Etsu Chemical developed a nickel electroplating
processing technique which makes it possible to use them under
severe conditions which require corrosion resistance, and is
thus providing highly distinctive, high-quality rare earth magnets.
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details |
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Next-generation supermagnets
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Compared to common ferrite magnets, neodymium rare-earth
magnets are thoroughbreds racing against draft horses.
Neodymium magnets are the world's highest performers in
their class. They are light-weight and gram for gram the
most powerful. These magnets hold the greatest promise
for electric vehicles. Shin-Etsu Chemical is putting theory
into practice with an electric-motor scooter at its Takefu
Plant. The scooter's key component is the electric motor.
For practical operation, the scooter must have a power
source that can be charged from a household voltage source
and have sufficient power to cruise a reasonable distance
on one charge. These requirements put a high demand on
the electric motor and more specifically on the motor's
magnet. The Takefu Plant has produced the ideal magnet
whose properties include heat resistance and long life.
By putting R&D to a real-world test, Shin-Etsu better
contributes to creation of products that serve society,
even scooters that, by the way, run quietly, with low
vibration and no air pollution. Today scooters, tomorrow
cars.
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| That black material
on the base of semiconductors has a tougher job than you might
guess. It is a sealant that guards against IC and LSI circuit
leaks and protects chips from moisture. It must also meet high
standards of heat and shock resistance. The material of choice
for chip makers is epoxy resin. With 30 years experience in
research and development of molding compounds for silicon products,
Shin-Etsu Chemical is one of the world leaders in manufacture
of epoxy molding compound. This ideal sealant applicable for
complex chip assembly and production of thinner high-density
products. It also facilitates development of compact, light-weight
and high performance electronic equipment. |
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Protecting semiconductors from heat, cold and moisture
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epoxy radical
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Epoxy resin is a heat insulating resin that has more than
two epoxy radicals per molecule. The basic material changes
characteristics according to the hardener it is mixed with.
Many different epoxy resins exist and their applications
are greatly varied from paint to insulation materials. Shin-Etsu's
epoxy molding compounds (KMC series) are widely recognized
as high quality sealants for semiconductor production. Our
resins are from phenol hardeners and ion-charged material.
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| Characteristics |
High-purity, high-performance
materials designed for specific applications
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Shin-Etsu's epoxy molding compound
(KMC series) is a high-purity material and is superior in
moisture resistance, electric characteristics and pliability.
It is produced in a variety of grades and is suitable for
low-stress, head conducting and low-a Line applications.
Shin-Etsu has developed world-leading technology for low-stress
applications.
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Core elements of electronic
components, sealants for VLSIs, ICs power transistors and
diodes
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