IDTechEx Examine the Use of PFAS as Low-Loss Materials for 5G Application

By PR Newswire | Yahoo Finance | April 21, 2023

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"Legislation restricting the usage of "forever chemicals", or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is being debated in major markets like the European Union and the US. But with certain members of the PFAS family, namely fluoropolymers like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), being considered for next-gen 5G applications, how will this affect the low-loss materials market for 5G?

After all, as 5G telecommunications continue to roll out globally, the need for materials that enable these 5G networks continues to grow. This is particularly true for the 5G frequency band with the most interest and excitement – mmWave (millimeter wave) 5G. mmWave 5G, operating in high-frequency bands between 24 – 100 GHz, offers faster data transfer rates, low latency, and higher bandwidth compared to previous wireless technologies, like 3G (<1 GHz) and 4G LTE (1 – 2.6 GHz), and even the more commonly deployed 5G frequency band of sub-6 GHz.

However, deploying 5G mmWave technology poses challenges beyond its physical characteristics, such as high transmission loss at higher frequencies, which disrupts the ability of mmWave 5G to deliver high-quality signals to users. Reducing transmission loss will be a key barrier for mmWave 5G to overcome; as such, mmWave 5G will require higher-performing materials that minimize transmission loss to support its growth.

This is where low-loss materials come in. Improving the dielectric properties of these materials, found in every corner of a 5G device from the printed circuit board (PCB) to the antenna to the IC packaging, is critical to reduce transmission loss and enhance 5G signal. This need is fueling the growth of the low-loss materials market for 5G applications, which IDTechEx forecasts to hit US$1.8 billion by 2033."