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handbook of modern sensors

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540 18 Sensor Materials and Technologies<br />

The thermoplastics that are most useful in sensor-related applications are the<br />

following.<br />

Alkyd has excellent electrical properties and very low moisture absorption.<br />

Allyl (diallyl phtalate) has outstanding dimensional stability and high heat and chemical<br />

resistance.<br />

Epoxy has exceptional mechanical strength, electrical properties, and adhesion to<br />

most <strong>of</strong> materials.<br />

Phenolic is a low-cost material. The color is limited to black and brown.<br />

Polyester (thermoplastic version) has a great variety <strong>of</strong> colors and may be transparent<br />

or opaque. Shrinkage is high.<br />

If two different monomers (A and B) are combined in a polymerization reaction,<br />

such a polymer is called copolymer. The final properties <strong>of</strong> a copolymer depend on<br />

the ratio <strong>of</strong> components A and B. Polymer mechanical properties can be modified by<br />

providing additives, such as fibers to increase strength and stiffness, plastisizers for<br />

flexibility, lubricants for easier molding, or UV stabilizers for better performance in<br />

sunlight.<br />

Another good way to control properties <strong>of</strong> plastics is to make polymer alloys or<br />

blends. Primarily this is done to retain properties <strong>of</strong> each component.<br />

Conductive plastics. Being a wonderful electrical isolators, plastic materials <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

require lamination with metal foil, painting with conductive paint, or metallization<br />

to give them electrical conductive properties, required for shielding.Another way<br />

<strong>of</strong> providing electrical conductivity is mixing plastics with conductive additives<br />

(e.g., graphite or metal fibers) or building composite plastic parts incorporating<br />

metal mesh.<br />

Piezoelectric plastics. These are made from PVF 2 , PVDF, and copolymers which<br />

are crystalline materials. Initially, they do not possess piezoelectric properties<br />

and must be poled either in high voltage or by corona discharge (Section 3.6<br />

<strong>of</strong> Chapter 3). Metal electrodes are deposited on both sides <strong>of</strong> the film either by<br />

silkscreening or vacuum metallization. These films, in some applications are used<br />

instead <strong>of</strong> ceramics, because <strong>of</strong> their flexibility and stability against mechanical<br />

stress. Another advantage <strong>of</strong> the piezoelectric plastics is their ability to be formed<br />

into any desirable shape.<br />

18.1.3 Metals<br />

From the sensor designer standpoint, there are two classes <strong>of</strong> metal: nonferrous and<br />

ferrous. Ferrous metals, like steel, are <strong>of</strong>ten used in combination with magnetic <strong>sensors</strong><br />

to measure motion, distance, magnetic field strength, and so forth. Also, they are quite<br />

useful as magnetic shields. Nonferrous metals, on the other hand, are permeable to<br />

magnetic fields and used whenever these fields are <strong>of</strong> no concern.<br />

Nonferrous metals <strong>of</strong>fer a wide variety <strong>of</strong> mechanical and electrical properties.<br />

When selecting a metal, one must consider not only its physical properties but also ease<br />

<strong>of</strong> mechanical processing. For example, copper has excellent thermal and electrical<br />

properties, yet it is difficult to machine; therefore, in many instances, aluminum

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