Electromagnetic and mechanical properties of conductive polyethylene composite antennas for utility location

Abstract Location of polyethylene utility pipes is improved by installing electromagnetic targets with the pipe. A new electromagnetic target could be created by impregnating polyethylene with conductive materials to impart it with electromagnetic properties necessary for use in utility location. Antennas created from this conductive polyethylene composite could be molded directly to the pipe during fabrication. The addition of high concentrations of conductive fillers into the material alters the mechanical performance of the material in addition to the electromagnetic properties, resulting in a material which displays brittle behavior, unlike neat polyethylene. Both electromagnetic and mechanical properties of the material are characterized to predict the behavior of the conductive polyethylene in service. In a layered composite with unmodified polyethylene and conductive polyethylene layers, the brittle behavior of the conductive polyethylene limits the strain to failure of the overall composite.