Thermoplastic resins for network applications

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the use of thermoplastic resins in millimeter wave network applications. More specifically, it relates to polyamide materials meeting the requirements of dielectric performance in such applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure for protecting a radio antenna, the enclosure comprising:
 a thermoplastic resin comprising a polyamide, wherein the enclosure is free of portions and windows for transmission of an electromagnetic signal having a frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 81 GHz and that are free of the thermoplastic resin, wherein a relative weight gain of the enclosure due to moisture uptake is less than 4% upon equilibration in an atmosphere at 70° C. and 62% relative humidity.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin comprises:
 85:15 to 96:4 wt:wt PA66:DI, wherein DI comprises a combination of 2-methyl-pentamethylenediamine and isophthalic acid),   nylon-6,   nylon-6,6,   a copolymer of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6 having at least one repeating unit that is
 poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide), 
 poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), or 
 a copolymer of poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide) and poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), 
   a mixture thereof, or   a copolymer thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein a density of the enclosure is in a range of from greater than or equal to 0.8 g/cm 3  to less than or equal to 4 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a reinforcing fiber distributed about the thermoplastic resin. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing fiber is selected from the group consisting of a glass fiber, a silicon fiber, a carbon fiber, a polypropylene fiber, a polyacrylonitrile fiber, a basalt fiber, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is configured to fully enclose the radio antenna. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising an ultraviolet resistance additive, a flame retardancy additive, an anti-static additive, an impact modifier, a colorant, a moisture repellant, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . An enclosure for protecting a radio antenna, the enclosure comprising:
 a thermoplastic resin comprising:
 85:15 to 96:4 wt:wt PA66:DI, wherein DI comprises a combination of 2-methyl-pentamethylenediamine and isophthalic acid, 
 nylon-6, 
 nylon-6,6, 
 a copolymer of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6 having at least one repeating unit that is
 poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide), 
 poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), or 
 a copolymer of poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide) and poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), 
 
 a mixture thereof, or 
 a copolymer thereof; 
   a reinforcing fiber in a range of about 5 to about 20 wt % of the enclosure,   a flame-retardant additive in a range of up to about 20 wt % of the enclosure,   a UV additive in a range of up to about 3 wt % of the enclosure,   a heat stabilizer additive in a range of up to about 2 wt % of the enclosure, and   a colorant additive in a range of up to about 3 wt % of the enclosure.   
     
     
         9 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein a relative weight gain of the enclosure due to moisture uptake is less than 4% upon equilibration in an atmosphere at 70° C. and 62% relative humidity. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , the enclosure is configured to fully enclose the radio antenna. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the enclosure is free of portions and windows for transmission of an electromagnetic signal having a frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 81 GHz and that are free of the thermoplastic resin. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is homogenously distributed about the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic resin ranges from about 30 wt % to about 85 wt % of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 transmitting an electromagnetic signal having a frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 81 GHz through an enclosure, the enclosure comprising a polyamide and having a substantially uniform signal attenuation of:
 from 1 dB to 0 dB for signal of frequency 500 MHz to 6 GHz when an enclosure thickness is from 1.5 mm to 4 mm, 
 from 1 dB to 0 dB for signal of frequency 24 GHz to 30 GHz when the enclosure-thickness is from 2.5 mm to 4 mm, 
 from 1 dB to 0 dB for signal of frequency 36 GHz to 40 GHz when the enclosure thickness is from 1.75 mm to 2.75 mm, or 
 from 1 dB to 0 dB for signal of frequency 76 GHz to 81 GHz when the enclosure thickness is from 1.75 mm to 2.75 mm, 
   wherein the signal is transmitted through the polyamide.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the polyamide comprises:
 85:15 to 96:4 wt:wt PA66:DI, wherein DI comprises a combination of 2-methyl-pentamethylenediamine and isophthalic acid),   nylon-6,   nylon-6,6,   a copolymer of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6 having at least one repeating unit that is
 poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide), 
 poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), or 
 a copolymer of poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide) and poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), 
   a mixture thereof, or   a copolymer thereof.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure is free of portions and windows for transmission of an electromagnetic signal having a frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 81 GHz and that are free of the polyamide. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic signal is transmitted through any portion of the enclosure comprising the polyamide. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic signal is associated with a 5G network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure is disposed in an outdoor environment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising transmitting a plurality of electromagnetic signals through the enclosure, the plurality of signals independently having a frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 81 GHz.