Advanced Thermoforming, 2nd Edition

Chapter 5Antenna Radome Manufacturing

Written in cooperation with Marieke Rijkse, Ineos Styrenics, The Netherlands

5.1 WEATHER‐RESISTANT HIGH‐IMPACT POLYSTYRENE

The high demands made of the materials of telecommunication antennas may not at first be discernible. Signals are sent and received throughout all continents, day and night, in winter as well as in summer, and also under extreme climatic conditions.

Microwave (radome) antennas were developed to get more capacity in data transport (see Figure 5.1). For these applications higher frequencies are required. The range decreases with higher frequencies. Radomes also provide environmental protection.

The four main factors of the polymer choice for antenna manufacturing are:

• Mechanical impact retention
• UV resistance
• Wetting resistance (low hygroscopicity)
• Dielectrics

Mechanical impact retention has to do with weather resistance outdoors. Failure in impact resistance means the end of the antenna’s application life. For antenna applications the polystyrene grade “Styrosun” (from Ineos Styrenics) is superior to ABS, PC, and ASA due to the suspension polymerization process and a specific way of grafting the rubber particles.¹

Figure 5.1 Microwave antenna radome cover

(Courtesy of Ineos Styrenics)

UV radiation is the major factor in polymer degradation:

• PS‐HI and ABS perform worst in terms of UV resistance.
• ASA and Styrosun ...