Heated Surfaces
New Technology from New Albea Provides Reliable Contact for Film-Heating
Heating wires embedded in sheet film are thinner than human hair. This 3D contoured film was back-molded with polycarbonate (© New Albea)
Heatable, flexible surfaces are opening up interesting possibilities for industry. New Albea Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Seelbach, Germany, has launched a heating module that utilizes conductive wires or printed circuits embedded in polymer. This makes it the ideal solution for automotive applications, especially with regard to such hot topics as electromobility and autonomous driving. The technology can be used, e.g., not only to heat parts of the bodywork but, when combined with conductive paints, to heat interior surfaces as well. But it could readily find its way into other fields of application too.
Flexible Film-Heating
A special feature of the film-heating technology is its flexibility. The thin film – containing embedded heating wires which are thinner than human hair – is just 0.25 to 0.37 mm thick and can be molded into 3D shapes. Alternatively, conductive printed surfaces or circuits can take the place of the heating wires. These allow the film to adopt the contour of the surface for heating and to be back-injected too.
Penetration by moisture is prevented by means of New Albea’s patented contact method which keeps the outer layer of the film sealed. The connectors and contacts are available in different variants to suit customer requirements.
Safety for Autonomous Vehicles
To keep systems functioning reliably in autonomous winter driving, it is essential that any surfaces behind which important sensors are installed remain ice-free. The heating module can be used to heat three-dimensional shapes and radomes without causing radar interference. The technology can also help keep the cabin at a comfortable temperature: as electric vehicles have no engine heat available for heating purposes, the heating film can be used to heat interior surfaces such as armrests and door panels.
New Albea Kunststofftechnik GmbH
Patents encourage innovation: Stay on the ball with the latest innovations in the plastics industry in our patents section.
Would you like to subscribe to our Newsletters on plastics technology and profit from the latest information?
You know the trade name but want to know the material manufacturer, type of polymer and delivery form? Search here!