COMPOUNDS | AUTOMOTIVE
IMAGE: ASAHI KASEI
“Unlike conventional plastics, mPPE combines Above:
Metallised slotted
waveguide array antenna made of Asahi Kasei’s Xyron mPPE
bobbins that improve motor efficiency without sacrificing durability or electrical performance. Syensqo’s Ryton PPS Supreme HF is already being used in this application. Ryton XE3500 Orange is an extrudable PPS grade developed for demand- ing high-voltage charging busbars, while the recently-introduced Amodel PPA AE-8945 HFFR is being used in battery protection systems such as pyrofuses.
Although technical challenges remain, companies involved in EMI shielding solutions like Premix are uniquely positioned to drive innovation. “Tradition- ally, EMI shielding in plastics has been achieved using metallic additives,” explains Christine Van Bellingen, Business Development & Sales Manager, Premix. “The growing range of carbon-based conductive additives has made EMI shielding plastics a more cost-effective alternative while also reducing wear on processing equipment compared to metal fibre-based solutions. With wall thicknesses of at least 2mm, attenuation levels of 40-60 dB at medi- um-to-high frequencies can be achieved using highly-filled yet processable polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA) compounds in well-designed injection moulding tools. Thicker walls bring higher attenuations, and tailored material developments can combine EMI shielding performance with flame retardancy.” The expansion of 5G networks and the develop-
ment of 6G technologies are accelerating the use of higher-frequency electromagnetic waves. While these frequencies enable faster data transmission and improved connectivity, they also introduce challenges such as increased transmission losses, signal degradation, and heat generation. Material selection becomes particularly important because dielectric properties can have a direct impact on system efficiency. This is one reason why materials such as modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) are attracting attention in automotive communication applications.
48 COMPOUNDING WORLD | September 2026
excellent dimensional stability with inherently low dielectric loss characteristics,” said Miki Tokuyama, Technical Engineer, Engineering Plastics Division, Asahi Kasei. “In high-frequency applications, a low dielectric loss tangent (Df) helps minimise signal attenuation, improving transmission efficiency and overall system performance. Millimetre-wave radar, commonly used for adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and object detection, relies on antenna structures and waveguide components that must maintain extremely tight dimensional tolerances, as even minor warpage or dimensional variation can affect signal quality. With dimensional stability approaching that of metals, mPPE provides a lightweight alternative while maintaining the precision required for high-frequency performance.” The material’s potential extends beyond radar antennas. Antenna covers, for example, must combine low dielectric loss with weather resistance and low weight. Advanced mPPE grades offer significantly lower dielectric losses while maintain- ing long-term resistance to weathering, discolora- tion, and environmental exposure.
Communication parts “Certain communication components require a different balance of properties,” said Tokuyama. “Phase shifters used in some high-gain antenna systems benefit from materials that combine high dielectric permittivity (Dk) with low dielectric loss, alongside high heat resistance and elevated heat deflection temperatures. Meanwhile, antenna elements increasingly demand materials that can support mass production while maintaining stable thermal expansion characteristics. PPS/PPE alloy systems can address these requirements through low Dk and Df values, lightweight construction, improved plating performance, and reduced warpage. Some development-grade mPPE materials demonstrate dielectric properties as low as Dk 2.6 and Df 0.001 at 28 GHz, highlighting how far engineering plastics have advanced.” In June this year, Avient launched Preperm low loss dielectric thermoplastics for mmWave radar dome (radome) applications, a new mPPE portfolio with four grades created for the surge in 5G/6G- enabled radar sensing which provide Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) component manufacturers and traffic radar system producers with a high-performance alternative to convention- al glass-fibre-reinforced polybutylene terephthalate (PBT+GF) materials. The accelerating adoption of radomes is reshaping material requirements across the automotive industry. As Level 2 through Level 4
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