www.liquidmetal.

com Liquidmetal Confidential

Leading research scientists recognize Liquidmetal as the new super alloy

Since the discovery of thermoplastics over 50 years ago, Liquidmetal alloy is the most significant development in the material science world.
Michael Ashby Cambridge University
Liquidmetal Confidential

Liquidmetal FJA Antenna Unique Advantages Superior Performance Cost Competitive

Liquidmetal Confidential

CONTENTS
EXTREME DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCE UTMOST PROFILE STABILITY AND CONSISTENCY COST COMPETITIVE EXCELLENT PRODUCT DURABILITY MINIMUM RF TUNING WORK HIGHEST DESIGN FLEXBILITY MAXIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH & DENSITY NO-PLATING REQUIRED DUE TO HIGH OXIDATION RESISTANCE
Liquidmetal Confidential

Liquidmetal Confidential

1. Extreme Dimensional Tolerance

Net-Shape Forming with Lowest Shrinkage Rate
Guarantees the Most Reliable Dimensional Product Tolerances
Liquidmetal is an amorphous alloy which does not go through phase

transformation during solidification process. This gives the lowest shrinkage rate at less than 0.18%(18/10,000) as well as consequent lowest residual stress. Liquidmetal components are dimensionally stable, and provide consistent dimensional tolerances both in terms of length and profile. As-cast parts have dimensional tolerances similar to those of machined parts. In contrast, a wire formed antenna, even with very controlled laser welding, has residual stresses and wide dimensional inconsistencies
Liquidmetal Confidential
Liquidmetal Confidential

2. Extreme Dimensional Stability

The Highest UTS & Elasticity provides the Most Stable Dimensional Profile during Manufacturing and in Field Service
Due to a very high UTS (ultimate tensile strength) of about 2 GPa (260 ksi) and elasticity of 2%, the possibility of profile deformation during manufacturing is extremely slim. In other words, if the product is not broken, the product can be regarded as a perfect replica of the dimensions of the mold cavity. In field service, the high strength and elasticity make the antenna virtually immune to deformation

Liquidmetal Confidential
Liquidmetal Confidential

3. Cost Reduction Advantage

Liquidmetal antenna is very cost competitive compared to a Wire Formed Antenna.

Compared to a wire form welded antenna, the Liquidmetal forming process is straight forward, not labor intensive, and productionproven for high volume requirements. Combined with performance advantages, the Liquidmetal FJA antenna is much more cost competitive than wire form and welded antenna solutions.

Liquidmetal Confidential
Liquidmetal Confidential

4. Excellent Durability During Field Service

High Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Durability Guarantees the Most Reliable Field Service
Liquidmetal alloy has outstanding corrosion resistance similar if not

better than titanium. This makes it inherently more durable and provides reliable performance stability in any hostile environment. The reliability of adhesion of the interface between the substrate and plating is high due to the environmental stability of the substrate. This can be demonstrated in a salt spray test.
Liquidmetal alloy has about 30% less density than conventional copper

base alloys and has a strength-to-weight ratio more than 5 times that of hard drawn copper wire.

Liquidmetal Confidential
Liquidmetal Confidential

5. No RF Signal Interference/Distortion from Substrate Material

Absence of Work Hardening, and No Lattice Interference of the RF Signal Assures the Most Predictable/ Consistent RF Profile for Tuning.
Liquidmetal parts are formed net-shape from amorphous alloy having

no crystalline structure. There is no RF disturbance from the electronic structure of the substrate lattice, grain boundaries or crystal orientations. This makes RF tuning very predictable and consistent. Shortens and simplifies the RF tuning process. In comparison, a wire formed antenna substrate has significant RF signal disturbance due to interference from lattice electronic structure, grain distortion and inconsistency caused by significant work hardening during the forming process. A wire formed antenna has residual stress from metal deformation processing, as well as welding, all of which influence the RF profile and its tuning.
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6. Design Flexibility
Injection Molding Process Provides Exceptional Design Flexibility and Maximization of Space Between Antenna Frames
Liquidmetal forming process is a hybrid of metal die-casting and

injection molding. The antenna designer can take advantage of exceptional design freedom as shown in the latest PEBL main antenna design. The design flexibility and high strength of Liquidmetal parts permit a major advantage in circuit accommodation between the wire frames by using a thin, variable wire cross section. A wire diameter size ratio greater than 3 is possible in one antenna.

Liquidmetal Confidential

Liquidmetal Confidential

7. Higher Signal Density on the Antenna Surface

Amorphous Metal Alloy is known to have Higher Signal Density on the Surface
Scientific studies (aerospace), have shown that amorphous alloys have higher signal density on the surface and enhanced antenna performance by pushing signals to the surface of the substrate. The surface of Liquidmetal components are protected by a very thin passivation layer which protects material from corrosion. Therefore the substrate will give the maximum volume for holding signal strength and is not degraded by a thick or supplemental corrosion protection layer found in other materials formed by metal die-casting or wire formed antennas.

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8. Non-Plated Antenna Option

Due to the Excellent Corrosion Resistance of the Liquidmetal Antenna, Use Without Plating is Possible Depending upon the Requirement.

Liquidmetal is inherently superior in corrosion resistance. This enables

manufacture and use of an antenna without any plating on the substrate.

Liquidmetal Confidential
Liquidmetal Confidential

Contact Information

Jim Beach Senior Global Account Manager Liquidmetal Technologies +708-218-2847 Jim.Beach@liquidmetal.com

Liquidmetal Confidential