electrical and electronic | Innovation
beyond, providing different combinations of Dk (dielec- tric constant, which quantifi es signal range) and Df (dielectric dissipation factor, which indicates signal loss). In addition, the Thermocomp compounds offer improved dimensional stability and durability, lower friction and increased fl ame resistance, as well as more design freedom than ceramics or PCBs normally used. “The explosive growth of smart devices, mobile-to-
mobile connected modules and the ever-increasing amounts of data and voice traffi c generated by their use are key drivers in the need to expand global network and transmission capacity,” SABIC says. The dielectric performance requirements are slightly
Screening effectiveness of a conductive Lehmann & Voss compound based on PA6 at 3mm (top line) and 2mm thickness
Right: Photomi- crograph of Luvocom ES shielding compound
showing the metal fi bre content
Marketing team, says interest in thermally conductive plastic compounds is being driven by demand for Wi-Fi capability in consumer and industrial devices. Metal heat sinks block Wi-Fi signals, he says, and even plastics that are modifi ed with carbon fi bre or graphite can introduce enough electrical conductivity to interfere with wireless communication signals. Non-conducting plastics housings tend to cause overheating in the latest small devices. RTP has developed thermally conductive compounds containing ceramic fi llers that are transpar- ent to Wi-Fi signals. Hardwick also says that interest in replacing metal housings with plastics ones providing EMI shielding continues to increase, not only for weight-saving and design fl exibility reasons but also because injection moulds last much longer than metal casting moulds. “By utilising continuous stainless steel fi bres in long fi bre compounding processing, RTP Company can deliver EMI shielding at a similar level as cast or sheet metal,” he says.
Optimised transmission SABIC recently announced a new portfolio of Thermo- comp compounds developed for use in phase shift components housed within local Wi-Fi antenna base stations. Base stations include multiple antennas containing phase shifters which, based on traffi c, deliver either greater strength to reduce dropped transmissions or greater range to broaden coverage. The range of new materials has been optimised for transmission conditions from 900 MHz to 3GHz and
Comparison of various SABIC solutions for base station antenna phase shifter components Thermocomp Thermocomp Thermocomp
ZX06323
Dk (dielectric constant) Df (dissipation factor)
72 ZX08309 DX09309
Thermocomp ZX08005
Thermocomp FX10009
6.4@1.1GHZ 4.5@1.1GHz 8@1.1GHz 6.16@1GHz 13.9@3GHz
0.004@1.1GHZ 0.003@1.1GHZ 0.010@1.1GHz 0.001@1GHz 0.005@3GHz
COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2016
www.compoundingworld.com
different at various frequencies from 900 MHz to 3GHz, and at different temperature ranges. “We found that the industry lacked performance-specifi c materials,” says Alan Tsai, director of consumer electronics technology and innovation in SABIC’s Innovative Plastics operation. “This is why we took on the challenge of providing new options.” The new SABIC materials are said to provide a better
balance of dielectric properties than ceramics or PCBs, with extremely low Df, down to 0.001, and a wide range of Dk from 3 to 13.9, depending on frequency require- ments. By comparison, the lowest achievable Df with general purpose PCBs is around 0.005. SABIC’s dielectric portfolio consists of compounds using a variety of base resins, ranging from Lexan polycarbon- ate, through Noryl modifi ed polyphenylene ether, to high density polyethylene.
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