Japan's Asahi-Schwebel plans to introduce two types of high-value-added glass cloth in 2005 for use in printed circuit boards: One is AZ Cloth, made from non-twisted yarn & featuring highly uniform thickness; the other is ultra-thin glass cloth, 13 micrometers in thickness, for use in upgraded substrates. Japan's major producer of glass cloth is about to start sample consignments with the aim of drawing up a detailed production & sales schedule on the basis of customer response to the new products. It is expected that the existing production facility will be expanded to launch new production & that the first sales will be made in Japan & then overseas. AZ Cloth is composed of non-twisted yarn with a roughly square cross-section that contributes to the high regularity in the thickness of the cloth. By contrast, conventional cloths have irregular thickness.
