Optical Grade Cyclo Olefin Polymer

COP Pellets and film colliding in the air on a grey background

Optical Grade ZEONEX^® and ZEONOR^® Advantages

For over 30 years, ZEONEX^® Cyclo-Olefin Polymer has been the premier optical polymer for glass replacement in precision imaging lenses. With unsurpassed high transparency , low haze, high moisture resistance, low birefringence and excellent molding capability, ZEONEX^® can meet the demanding optical requirements of high-performance applications including mobile device camera lens, AR/VR wearables, and sensors.

Low surface roughness
Ultra-low moisture absorption
Glass-like transparency
High ABBE number
Low birefringence
Low haze
Compatible with high-power NIR laser
Precision moldable
Coatable

Glass-like Clarity

ZEONEX^®COP offers >91% light transmission across UVA through NIR wavelengths. With a refractive index of ~1.53 and ABBE number of 56, ZEONEX^® combines the optical characteristics of glass with the design freedom and cost-effectiveness of a molded plastic.

Transmittance graph of ZEONEX® COP optical grades (200–800 nm). X-axis: Wavelength (nm) Y-axis: Light transmittance. The graph compares ZEONEX® 360R, K22R, K26R, and T62R

A Line graph showing Transmittance Reduction with Prolonged Exposure to Blue Laser x-axis:Irradiation Time (hr) y-axis: Light Transmittance (%T)

Blue Laser Capability

ZEONEX^® optical grades are engineered to meet requirements of high performance and specialty applications. ZEONEX^®360R offers superior resistance to long term, high intensity blue light wavelengths, with less than 4% change in transmission after 800+ hrs of irradiation at 400 nm.

Low Birefringence

ZEONEX^® COP achieves very low total birefringence by combining low intrinsic birefringence with an ultra-low photoelastic constant for excellent stress birefringence performance. Compared to other polymers, the higher molding temperature capability of ZEONEX^® COP also promotes improved birefringence by allowing for reduced molecular orientation during molding.

Exceptional Moldability

ZEONEX^® COP enables precise manufacturing of complex optical components, which allows precise control of part dimension and flatness while maintaining ultra-low PV (peak-to-valley) ratios on the surfaces of lens and prisms. High flow grades of ZEONEX^® extend the ability of COP to be molded into very thin, high curvature lens with lowered risk of knit line formation.

Low Moisture Absorption and High Environmental Stability

ZEONEX^® has <0.01% water absorption – significantly less than polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic (PMMA). Lenses made with ZEONEX^® are dimensionally stable and show minimal change of optical properties following exposure to varying humidity environments.

Technical Highlights

Property	Test Standard	Unit	ZEONEX^® K26R	ZEONEX^® K22R	ZEONEX^® T62R	ZEONEX^® 360R
Physical Properties
Melt Flow rate (280 ⁰C, 21.18 N)	ISO 1133	g/10min	52	32	16	18 (260 ⁰C)
Water absorption (23 ⁰C-sat)	ASTM D570	%	<0.01	<0.01	<0.01	<0.01
Optical Properties
Refractive index	ASTM D542	nd	1.535	1.535	1.536	1.509
Light transmittance	ASTM D1003	%	92	92	92	92
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength	ISO 527	MPa	54	72	67	37
Tensile modulus	ISO 527	MPa	2530	2570	2650	2960
Thermal Properties
Glass transition temperature	JIS K7121	⁰C	143	143	154	121

Applications

Engineered to Perform

Smartphone Lenses

ZEONEX^® COP has very high optical transparency in visible range, very low optical dispersion, and wide range of MFR. The high flow grades can be molded into very thin, high curvature lenses, making Cyclo Olefin Polymer an ideal polymer for smart phone lens applications.

VR Lenses

ZEONEX^® COP has very low intrinsic birefringence and low photoelastic constant. Lenses made from COP resin exhibit >91% transmittance across UVA through NIR wavelengths and very low birefringence.

Sensor Lenses

Sensor lenses made from COP resin deliver >91% transmittance across UVA through NIR wavelengths and have very low water vapor absorption, yielding glass-like performance that is not compromised in high humidity environments.

Certifications

Our certifications affirm our commitment to Quality and Compliance. Our factories are certified for ISO 9001 and 14001, representing world-class standards for Quality and Environmental considerations.