DIELECTRIC MATERIALS

CLOSED-CELL POLYURETHANE FOAM THAT MEETS SPECIFIC DIELECTRIC CONSTANT AND LOSS TANGENT REQUIREMENTS

General Plastics offers a variety of LAST-A-FOAM^® products for use as dielectric material in radio frequency (RF) communication systems such as radomes, antennas and others. Located on land, sea and in the air, these high-performing electronic applications need an RF-transparent and protective layer with the capability to support manufacturing processing.

Protection from wind, rain and other environmental elements is an important factor. LAST-A-FOAM^® rigid foams are durable, closed-cell and do not absorb water, thus preventing changes in dielectric performance. Our dielectric materials display non-dispersive and low-loss properties, where dielectric performance stays stable at a wide range of frequencies and temperatures.

While available densities range from 3 to 40 pounds per cubic foot, densities and formulations can be tailored to a customer’s needs and specific dielectric constant and loss tangent requirements. LAST-A-FOAM^® products have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 240ºF to 350ºF, which dramatically increases their processing capabilities. In addition, its fine cell structure and high dimensional stability make it an ideal material for applications requiring sandwich panels and complex shapes made to tight tolerances.

These products are available in sheets and blocks as well as machined final core configurations. Certificates of performance for some products can be supplied upon request.

Advantages:

• Provides optimal signal transmission
• RF-transparent
• Lightweight
• Available in custom densities
• Processing temperature up to 350^oF
• Dimensionally stable even in extreme environments
• Does not absorb water
• Highly machinable
• Available in large blocks (30”x100”x100”), depending on density
• Able to meet specific dielectric constant and loss tangent requirements

Applications:

• Radomes
• Antenna spacer material
• RF lens
• Aerospace Components
• Automotive Components
• High temperature core material
• Core material for resin-transfer molding
• Electronic packaging insulation
• Electronic isolators
• Protective structures from weather, dust and bird strike
• Core material for resin-transfer molding
• Sandwich panel configurations

Recommended Products:

• RF-2200 Dielectric Foam Series
• FR-3700 Performance Core Series
• FR-7100 Multi-Use Core and Modeling Board Series