event review | Conductive Plastics 2016
Right: Lehvoss detailed the design of this LED torch,
developed to showcase the potential of thermally- conductive compounds
if there is more variability, a larger sample will help give 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 characteris- tic 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
Conductive Plastics 2017 set for Europe
The programme has just been released for the third Conductive Plastics conference, which 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, Imerys, Cabot, Nanocyl and Unipetrol and will again focus on the latest innovations in the development and production of thermally
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and electrically conductive polymer compounds and components. This international event combines 16 expert presentations with a networking mini-exhibition and site visit. To find out more about speaking, sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference, or to benefit from the €200 early booking discount, visit the conference website or contact Conference Organiser Kat Langner.
INJECTION WORLD | January/February 2017
Email:
kl@amiplastics.com; Tel: +44 (0)117 314 8111. Conductive Plastics 2016 took place in Philadelphia in the US on 27-28 Septem- ber 2016. If you missed it, you can buy the full proceedings for $425.00. For more information or to purchase, contact Senior Conference Coordinator Kelly DeFino. Email
kd@amiplastics-na.com; Tel: +1 610 478 0800.
www.injectionworld.com
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