Electrically Conductive PBT for Automotive

A new electrically conductive PBT designed for millimeter wave radar applications for the automotive industry has been introduced by The Polyplastics Group.  Duranex PBT 201EB is said to provides the benefit of electromagnetic wave shielding as an added effect of electrical conductivity. s a result, the material contributes to reduced assembly work and cuts cost.

In today’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), millimeter wave radar is a type of sensor that measures the distance, speed, and angle of objects such as approaching cars by sending and receiving radio waves (electromagnetic waves) in millimeter wave bands. Polyplastics has worked to produce materials for millimeter wave radar applications through varied approaches. The use of electrically conductive grades like Duranex PBT 201EB in radio wave absorbing materials can contribute to reduced processing costs for customers and enables greater design freedom.

Previously, electromagnetic wave absorbing materials have been partially incorporated on the back side of radomes that transmit electromagnetic waves. Incorporating electromagnetic wave absorbing materials has the effect of reducing millimeter wave reflection noise and inhibiting the occurrence of detection errors (increasing accuracy of detection). However, a process to attach conventional rubber electromagnetic wave absorbers to the back of radomes has been problematic.

Duranex PBT 201EB has the same PBT resin base composition as radomes, and it also bonds extremely well due to its double-shot molding capability.