Electromagnetic and Mechanical Behavior of Conductive Polymer Materials for Antennas

Abstract

Polyethylene utilities pipes are difficult to detect once buried. Ground penetrating radar is typically used for location, but the electromagnetic signatures of small pipe lines, like the lines that between mains and individual buildings, are often too weak to be detectable. Due to the high number of buried pipelines and the high risks and costs that can occur with damaged lines, improving the locatability of the pipe is an important area of focus. Polyethylene doped with conductive dopants and made into antennas could provide a more distinct electromagnetic target during location. In this work, the electromagnetic properties of the conductive polyethylene material were studied. Mechanical strains were applied to the material to determine how the electromagnetic response would change with the physical deformation.