METALLIZATION ON PLASTIC

Metallization for waveguide antenna applications

Waveguide antennas feature waveguide structures to direct and radiate electromagnetic waves from one point to another. One of the more common applications for waveguide antennas today is automotive radar for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS).

Moving forward, more sophisticated requirements for efficient ADAS for vehicles are expected to come into play, resulting in increased numbers of radar sensors needed to guide our vehicles. Waveguide antennas are believed to be a big part of these new ADAS solutions, and in the future also for autonomous vehicles (AVs).

Advanced coatings for conductivity

Waveguides antennas can be made from metal, or from plastic for lower weight and manufacturing cost. In the case of plastic, the antenna is metallized with a highly conductive coating. Depending on the frequency of the antenna and other engineering aspects related to its design, the coating thickness can range from fractions of a µm up to a few µm.

In the case of metal antennas, coatings for increased conductivity may still be beneficial in certain cases.

Metal alloys for optimal performance and cost-efficient production

Impact Coatings has developed highly conductive silver alloys, that provide better corrosion resistance than pure silver and have good wetting properties for soldering. Silver alloys are popular solutions for waveguide antennas due to their performance matched with cost-efficient production.

Other high demand materials include pure metals that have high electrical conductivity. To enhance further functional properties and adhesion, engineered multilayers and alloys can be produced utilizing PVD and our versatile INLINECOATER™ PVD systems.

Why Impact Coatings’ PVD solutions for waveguide antenna applications

• Highly conductive metals, alloys, and multilayer coatings
• High density and precise thickness control
• Provides the electrical conductivity needed for plastic waveguide antennas
• Solderability possible
• Low temperature coating process possible
• High-throughput INLINECOATER™ PVD systems designed for automation and production line integration
• Compact, automated production lines for excellent quality control and maximized production yields

Want to know more about our PVD systems for waveguide antenna applications?