Asahi Kasei Corporation is currently introducing new grades of its modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) XYRON™ to the European and North American markets. The combination of PPE with other polymers such as polyphenylene sulfide or polystyrene allows this family of high-performance compounds to feature a broad range of properties, exceeding those of conventional materials used for telecommunication applications. 5G networks are expected to offer maximum data transmission speeds about 10 times greater than those of 4G networks.

Compared to their predecessors, 5G networks also use higher-frequency electromagnetic signals than previous network generations. However, this comes at a cost. As signal speeds increase, the strength of the signal becomes exponentially weaker, so high-frequency signals like 5G suffer much greater loss than lower-frequency signals like 4G, thus have greater difficulty in reaching their intended destinations.

This poses challenges for network connectivity and can serve as an obstacle to ensuring reliable communication. For this reason, 5G networks require more base stations than previous generations, and 5G smartphone terminals must incorporate higher-performance radio systems to ensure reliability and satisfaction. XYRON™ grades for MID (molded interconnected device) antennas feature low dielectric permittivity, low loss tangent and high hydrolysis resistance.

Simulation results indicate that the use of these materials in MID antennas can improve total efficiency by as much as 1 dB compared to the polycarbonate (PC) materials conventionally used for this purpose. This enables operation at higher frequencies and more advanced device functionality, alleviating design space constraints to facilitate. Antenna covers – the outermost layers of antenna assemblies – require lightweight, weather-resistant materials with low dielectric permittivity to improve electromagnetic-wave transmissivity.

To date, antenna covers have typically been made from PC or similar materials, which hinders dielectric properties. Asahi Kasei is currently developing a XYRON™ grade with low dielectric permittivity, as well as excellent hydrolysis and shock resistance that is available in all colors and is compliant with the UL94V-0 flame-retardance standard. Asahi Kasei is also developing additional XYRON™ grades for various types of equipment covers, including grades with high weatherability, that resist color changes induced by prolonged light exposure.

RF cavity filters for 5G base stations Base stations commonly incorporate large numbers of metal or ceramic radio frequency(RF)filters that increase system weight, leading to a more complicated installation and operating losses. The greater density of base stations required for 5G networks makes these factors even more important and creates an urgent demand for lighter-weight components. XYRON™ grades for RF filters – specifically designed for applications to RF cavity filters in 5G base stations offer high heat resistance, good plating properties, and low linear-expansion coefficients comparable to those of metallic materials, facilitating the industry's transition to resin-based RF filters.