event review | Conductive Plastics 2016
Right: Lehvoss detailed the design of this LED torch,
developed to showcase the potential of thermally- conductive compounds
a more accurate answer. Adam Harris, Managing Director of C-Therm, described how the company’s TCi analyser, uses a Modified Transient Plane Source (MPTS) technique to determine an almost instant thermal conductivity value with no special sample preparation. He also introduced delegates to the concept of thermal effusivity, which can be determined using the MPTS technique and quantifies the ability of a material to exchange thermal energy with its surroundings or another surface. Defined as the square root of the product of the material’s thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity, he said effusivity is an important characteristic of a material as it relates to “perceived coldness” and can be used to quantify “touch” properties.
Innovative applications Mario Gillmann, Research Associate at the German fuel cell research center, ZBT, discussed its work with calendering and extrusion of polymers containing very high levels (up to 80%) of graphite to make large, electrically conductive bipolar plates for fuel cells. For the calendering (rolling) process, ZBT and its partners designed a custom sheet die to allow a more uniform distribution of the material. For the extruded sheet, ZBT experimented with temperature control and concluded that using thermal oil to both heat and cool allowed them to obtain a uniform temperature distribution. Doug Bathauer, CEO of Integral Technologies, the
parent company of ElectriPlast Corp, also described a biopolar plate technology, although for production of battery parts rather than fuel cells. He noted that dispersion and the “skin effect” are key challenges for injection moulded plate producers. The company’s researchers have found that optimising gating is key for obtaining good dispersion. He also said it was close to developing a commercially-viable solution to overcome skin effect issues. Electrically conductive aliphatic polyketone (POK)
can be used to make automotive fuel systems that are compliant with the US state of California’s upcoming LEV [Low Emission Vehicle] III evaporative emissions standards. Aliphatic POK, reintroduced by Hyosung, is a “perfect fit” for fuel systems, said Jim Arbuckle, Managing Partner at specialty compounder and distributor Mega Polymers. He described how various reinforcing fibres and conductive additives can be used to improve properties and reduce cost and weight for fuel system applications.
Click on the links for more information: ❙
www.premixgroup.com ❙
www.imerys-graphite-and-carbon.com ❙
www.rtpcompany.com ❙
www.appliednanostructuredsolutions.com ❙
www.carbonx.nl ❙
www.ocsial.com ❙
www.3m.de/technical-ceramics ❙
www.hpfminerals.com ❙
www.polyone.com ❙
www.outlast.com ❙
www.lehvoss.de ❙
www.tainstruments.com ❙
www.ctherm.com ❙
www.zbt-duisburg.de ❙
www.electriplast.com (Integral Technologies) ❙
www.megapolymers.com
About the Conductive Plastics conference
Organised by Compounding World publisher Applied Market Information and sponsored by Premix, Modern Dispersions, Imerys, Total, and Unipet- rol, Conductive Plastics 2016 took place in Philadelphia in the US on 27-28 September 2016. Full proceedings are available priced at $425.00 for those that missed the event. For more information or to purchase, contact Senior Confer-
72 COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2016
ence Coordinator Kelly DeFino. Email
kd@amiplastics-na.com; Tel: +1 610 478 0800.
The third Conductive Plastics confer-
ence returns to Europe and will take place on 27-28 June 2017 in Cologne, Germany. Conductive Plastics 2017 is sponsored by Premix, HPF The Mineral Engineers and Cabot and will again focus on the latest innovations in the develop-
ment and production of thermally and electrically conductive polymer com- pounds and components. To find out more about speaking, sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference, or to benefit from the 25% pre-programme booking discount, visit the conference website or contact Conference Organiser Kat Langner. Email:
kl@amiplastics.com; Tel: +44 (0)117 314 8111.
www.compoundingworld.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98