Living in a material world

Andy Bird, Managing Director, GTT Wireless

At GTT Wireless we know a bit about durable materials. We have to manufacture our antennas so they perform in the harshest of outdoor environments. That’s why we use polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) material, because it’s our business to understand and meet the challenging conditions in which our customers’ applications are installed. There are alternatives but here’s the harsh reality of why these two materials are essential.

What are PC and ASA?

PC is a strong, durable plastic that can withstand extreme outdoor conditions and perform to the required standard in these environments for longer than other materials. It’s widely used in the automotive industry for car windshields, headlights and similar applications, because unlike other materials it doesn’t deteriorate in UV light. It also boasts a high waterproof IP rating and can withstand impacts of up to 400 kilograms – an impressive 10 times greater resistance than fibreglass to put that in context!

Likewise, ASA plastic has phenomenal strength and is exceptionally resistant to weather and chemicals. It provides unrivalled durability in severe weather conditions, retaining both its shape and colour, and is also very adept in terms of its UV resistance.

Are they the only options?

There are alternatives to PC and ASA material when it comes to manufacturing antennas – in the form of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and glass reinforced polyester (GRP).

GRP is particularly resistant to corrosion, chemicals and bad weather. Its rigid construction makes it highly resistant to impact and it has good insulating properties. But it does have drawbacks. Its ruggedness means it’s heavier than other plastics such as PC, ASA and ABS, and if it’s exposed to the sun for too long the material can bloom and weaken.

…and ABS?

ABS material possesses excellent insulating properties, good resistance to chemical attack and is easy to machine with normal tools. Compared to PC material, however, it has a lower operating temperature range and is less UV- and impact-resistant. Furthermore, it’s only recommended for outdoor use if it’s used in conjunction with other protection solutions to counter weather influences.

So PC and ASA don’t have any flaws?

Cost is the biggest factor for customers considering PC and ASA materials. Both are slightly more expensive than ABS, for example. It ultimately comes down to where you intend to install your antenna – is it going to be operating indoors or outdoors?

If you are considering using an ABS antenna for outdoor installations, it’s critical to keep in mind that although it comes at a slightly lower cost than PC or ASA, it doesn’t stand up as well to UV exposure and weathering unless it’s properly protected. For those mission-critical applications or where the cost of replacement is expensive, you must ask yourself if it’s worth the risk.

Choose the antenna that best suits your needs

We pride ourselves on manufacturing the highest quality antennas for our customers – whether it’s for indoor or outdoor use. Regardless of the conditions your applications are exposed to, GTT Wireless antenna protection will ensure your applications perform exactly as they should.

Browse our broad range of outdoor and indoor antennas to find the antenna that will ensure your application operates with maximum efficiency.