SU-8 is an epoxy-based negative photoresist that is widely used. The name SU-8 comes from the fact that the structure contains eight epoxy groups, which cross-link to produce the final structure. It may be produced into a viscous polymer that can be spun or stretched throughout a thickness range of 1 micron to 300 microns, or it can be laminated to thicknesses of 1 mm or more.
SU-8 is now predominantly utilized for microfluidic and MEMS component production. SU-8 is also a biocompatible material that is extensively utilized in bioelectronics, bioMEMS, lab-on-a-chip, and TAS for life science applications.
In a wide range of applications, SU-8 materials with functional surfaces can greatly improve performance. Alfa Chemistry provides SU-8 substrates with unique functionalized surface coating services. You can adjust the surface attributes of nearly any SU-8-related product using our wide and simple surface modification methods. Working with us guarantees that you will be able to modify the surface of your product with ease!
Extensive Surface Modification Technology Options
Alfa Chemistry has a number of polymer surface coating methods that can be used to functionalize the surface of SU8 materials and give them a variety of unique surface features. The following are some of our surface modification technology possibilities, however they are not exhaustive. For more technical details, please contact us.
- Surface Waterproof Coating Technology - We are able to functionalize the surface of SU8 substrates with hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, making them highly water and oil resistant to effectively impermeable to all liquids.
- Hydrophilic Coating Technology - We can make SU8 substrates highly hydrophilic by functionalizing their surfaces.
- Adhesion Promotion Coating Technology - We can improve the surface adhesion of SU8 by functionalizing their surfaces.
- Lubricant coating technology - We can functionalize the surface of SU8 substrates with lubrication to reduce their surface friction.
We can manufacture these nanoscale coatings and they are chemically stable, optically transparent and very durable.
Fig 1. SU-8 molecule.
Learn more about our hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings.
Learn more about our hydrophilic coatings.
Learn more about our particle-modified coatings.
Learn more about our lubricant coatings.
Alfa Chemistry Coating Solution Cases
Case 1: Diamond-like carbon (DLC) friction coating
The use of friction coatings with sub-micron film thicknesses is a growing application area. DLC systems are friction coatings that are primarily used to reduce friction and wear. Typical film thicknesses for these applications range from a few nanometers to several hundred nanometers, and the substrates applied cover a wide range of materials. 250 nm thick diamond-like carbon film deposited by Alfa Chemistry on SU8 photoresist substrates by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
In the case of a hard coating on a soft substrate, even at very low loads, the substrate does have a significant impact not only on the mechanical properties but also on the tribological properties of the film/substrate system. The soft substrate acts as a spring beneath the hard film, thus creating a plate bending effect. In the elastic state, this effect does reduce the coefficient of friction due to the small effective contact area between tip and sample in a single rough contact.
Why Choose Alfa Chemistry?
- We are experienced with custom polymer surface coatings.
- Our custom coated products are thin and green safe.
- Our coating solutions can be customized to the specific requirements of your product.
