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Polyplastics has introduced Duranex 201EB PBT resin to boost automotive autonomy.

Posted by Staff

February 16, 2023

1 Min Read
self-driving car dashboard
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Japan’s Polyplastics Group has launched a new electrically conductive grade of Duranex polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) for millimeter wave radar applications in the automotive industry. Duranex PBT 201EB provides the benefit of electromagnetic wave shielding as an added effect of electrical conductivity. As a result, the material contributes to reduced assembly work and cuts costs for OEMs seeking to enhance vehicle autonomy.

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. The market for millimeter wave radar is rapidly expanding because of increased use for periphery monitoring of vehicles, including on the rear side, thanks to its ability to accurately recognize distances and other parameters in inclement weather and at night.

Polyplastics has produced 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, rubber 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, the 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 materials used in radomes, and it also bonds extremely well due to its double-shot molding capability.

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