Covestro: Provides new TPU and polycarbonate materials for 5G applications

The new mobile communication standard 5G is steadily advancing. This development has also increased the demand for materials that promote and ensure high transmission rates of 5G signals. This includes the new Desmopan® 7000 thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) from Covestro. It exhibits high penetration to 5G frequencies, thereby reducing signal loss. Therefore, this product is very suitable for 5G applications, such as protective covers for mobile phones.

Compared with the previous 4G standard, 5G technology can achieve higher network speed, shorter data running time (latency), lower power consumption and more stable connections. In order for users to get all the benefits, the device must be equipped with a housing that can minimize interference when transmitting signals. This is especially true for thin protective covers for smartphones. In this application, the low dielectric constant (Dk) and low dielectric loss (Df) of the new TPU series have proven to be very beneficial.

In addition, Desmopan® 7000 series products are also known for their inherent shock and vibration absorption characteristics, which are also the characteristics of TPU plastics. They also have excellent wear resistance and flexibility over a wide temperature range, as well as good elasticity over the entire hardness range. Therefore, mobile phones equipped with them can also protect them from mechanical shocks. In product development, the good adhesion of TPU to other plastics such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is a major advantage.

Multi-layer film for strong back

Smart phones used for 5G reception require more antenna space than previous similar products, and manufacturers must also replace the metal back with other materials to ensure uninterrupted data exchange. Makrofol® SR multilayer polycarbonate film with an acrylic topcoat is the ideal choice to meet these requirements. They are permeable to 5G radio signals and are very mechanically robust.

They also provide a lot of design freedom. This film can be used to create a cost-effective and attractive back cover that has an appearance comparable to glass. Various techniques can be used for this, such as fine three-dimensional structure, non-conductive vacuum metallization, screen printing, letterpress printing and so on. In addition to various decorations and texture designs, the surface of the film also has a very comfortable feeling.

Polycarbonate for modern radomes

The development of 5G infrastructure also requires a tight network of new and increasingly complex antennas. In order to protect the outer cover (radome) from the weather, Covestro has developed impact-resistant modified polycarbonate, which has excellent mechanical properties even at low temperatures, is UV resistant, and has a design due to its high processability flexibility.

They have low dielectric constant (Dk) and dielectric loss (Df) values, which can ensure the uniformity of signal transmission, and protect active antenna devices, miniature antenna devices, and miniature devices during outdoor use during their ten-year service life. The most advanced electronic equipment in base stations and routers. Therefore, they help to ensure a return on investment in 5G network infrastructure.