The introduction of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) has played a key role in making automotive safety systems popular. The technology for that is based on radar frequency and sensor makers can now replace the metal portion of their parts with plastics, achieving lighter weight, overall lower system cost, and improved part design flexibility. LNP STAT-KON® compounds meet the needs for this fast growing segment.
High Frequency Radar Absorption
Stakeholders across the automobile value chain acknowledge the importance of passenger and occupant safety and are constantly upgrading their offerings to provide fail safe safety technologies that will protect passengers and pedestrians. The automotive RADAR based features play a preventive role in mitigating crashes and accidents by providing advance warning or additional assistance in steering/controlling the vehicle.
Electrically Conductive Compounds
The addition of a conductive filler to a thermoplastic material can improve the radar absorption for higher frequencies allowing herewith for picking up the alarming signals . Traditional conductive fillers based on carbon are effective, and novel conductive technologies can add additional features. By adding in addition reinforcing fillers like fibers and/or mineral, structural performance can be complemented.
Measuring Performance
Standard conductivity measurements like surface and volume resistivity (ASTM D 257) testers can’t always determine exactly how a material will perform in terms of high frequency radar absorption. We have established a relationship between surface resistivity and radar absorption capability, but since most of these new applications are safety-related, the sensors must be highly accurate, and we need to invest in tightening the specifications and directly measure for radar absorption
Surface Resistivity Measurements
In their continuous search and efforts over the last decades to reduce weight in cars, the automotive industry has been replacing more and more metals by thermoplastic based solutions. The fuel management area is not exempt from that. Fuel pumps, filler necks, filters, inlet check valve housings, line clips, delivery modules, filter housings etc can be designed out of LNP STATKON® compounds that meet the need of this important segment.
Fuel Delivery and Sparking
When operating with standard (non electrically conductive) plastics in an environment of fuel, petrol and other automotive fluids, there are always 2 main concerns that need to be addressed. 1) Due to electrostatic charging effects, the fuel delivery will get impeded and lead to an inconsistent material flow and 2) Sparking and electrostatic discharging effects represent an immediate fire risk.
Electrically Conductive Compounds
The addition of a conductive filler to a thermoplastic material can increase the electrical conductivity and herewith reduces the risks for electrostatic charging and discharging. Traditional fillers like carbon powder and fibers are effective, and more novel and advanced technologies can provide additional features . Since resistance to fuel and other automotive liquids is a prime CTQ, compounds are always based on semi-crystalline resins
Measuring Performance
The before mentioned risks associated with electrostatic charge build up need to be mitigated. The requirements for components that come in contact with liquid fuel are driven by the OEM’s and are specified in the SAE J1645 standard. According this standard the surface resistivity before and after fuel soak should not exceed 10E6 Ω/sq. The retention of properties after extended fuel exposure applies also to the other functional requirements for mechanical and thermal performance
Sr=Rs(L/G)
L = Length of Electrodes
G = Gap Distance Between Electrodes
In the Healthcare Industry over the last decades there has been a continued search for material solutions , that are addressing the macro trends in this industry of more regulatory oversight, cleaner and safer devices, non threatening, reduced patient anxiety operations, efficient, more personalized medical devices, that are portable, small and lightweight and last but not least, also more environmentally sustainable solutions
Plastics in Medical Devices
When operating with standard (non electrically conductive) plastics in medical devices there are 2 main challenges to be addressed . 1) In drug delivery applications, the issue of inconsistent dosing and dust , particle attraction & contamination can occur due to electrostatic effects and 2) Malfunctioning of critical supporting electronic devices, due to electromagnetic interference.
Electrically Conductive Compounds
The addition of a conductive filler to a thermoplastic material can increase the electrical conductivity and/or the EMI shielding capability of a thermoplastic, herewith reducing the aforementioned risks. Traditional fillers like carbon powder , fibers , anti-stat agents and stainless steel fibers are effective, and more novel and advanced technologies can provide additional features.. The resulting conductive compounds do exhibit a better carbon footprint versus plastics with a conductive paint and metals.
Fig 1: PC Copolymer/30% Glass Fiber
Fig 2: Standard PC/30% Glass Fiber
Unique PC copolymer from SABIC offers much better surface quality, high gloss, smooth surface, less fiber floating which can be a benefit for lower Liquid Particle Count (LPC) compared with standard PC.
SABIC specialty compounds can offer diversified material solutions for industrial fans and impellers answering to a variety of industry needs as weight reduction (metal replacement), higher rotation speed (over 70K rpm), special effects (antistatic, electrical conductivity) and energy efficiency. Possible applications include ATEX compliant axial/centrifugal impellers, permanent antistatic axial fans and high speed blowers
Industry Needs:
Material Solutions
The importance of passenger, occupant and pedestrian safety is driving automakers and their suppliers to upgrade their ADAS offerings to further advance the performance and reliability of assisted driving. As adoption rates rise, the number of safety features and onboard electronic systems per vehicle increases each year, requiring engineers to seek out material solutions for light weighting and increased design flexibility.
Radar systems are an integral part of the ADAS system supporting features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collison Warning (FCW). Radar sensors constantly sense the distance between
vehicles in real-time to improve driving efficiency and safety. Therefore, these units require material solutions offering effective Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding and radar absorption properties to ensure that cross-interference does not disrupt the various system components that protect drivers, passengers an,d pedestrians.
SABIC’s highly specialized thermoplastics can help engineers improve radar sensor technologies using materials that aid in light weighting, metal replacement and improved design flexibility. Providing automakers and their suppliers with high performance solutions to help them address the ever-changing ADAS landscape, as well as to identify potential system cost reductions.
Our portfolio offers:
SABIC Solutions for Radar Sensor System Applications
