Electrically conductive | additives
Increasing use of electronics and tighter ESD and EMI regulations mean demand for electrically conductive compounds is on the up. Peter Mapleston takes a look at some of the latest additive technologies
Demand grows for electrically conductive compounds
The whole area of electrically conductive compounds is buzzing right now. Among suppliers of carbon-based additives, the latest product offerings include refined versions of traditional carbon black, single and multi-wall nanotubes, and a completely new material based on a web of carbon fibres. Another relative newcomer to this sector has developed a technology that integrates conductivity directly into the polymer chain. There is also considerable movement in anti- static additives, while several key compounders are introducing new products for end-use applications and discussing latest applications.
A new form of carbon What is described as a revolutionary porous carbon material, developed and discovered in the chemistry laboratories of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, enables lightweight, electrically conduc- tive and thermally conductive solutions for plastics materials. The building blocks of the CarbonX material - now being further developed and offered in sample quantities by a company of the same name - are
www.compoundingworld.com
chemically-linked nanofibres that form a 3D-network. This structure, which is said to be unique, allows for very good mixing and interaction with many polymers. CarbonX differs from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and
carbon nanofibres (CNFs) in terms of morphology, structure and performance, says Daniela Sordi, chief technology officer at CarbonX. Most notably, the 3D network structure creates aggregates measuring a few microns in size that are highly porous (87% by volume) and isotropically shaped (the aspect ratio is close to one). This contrasts with the almost two-dimensional form of CNTs and CNFs, which are typically character- ised by very high aspect ratios that often cause anisotropic properties when mixed in thermoplastics. Aggregates of fibre networks improve strength as well
as conductivity isotropically, Sordi claims. Anti-static, static-dissipative and conductive properties can be added by varying the loading. Preliminary mechanical tests in compounds with PA 6, PET and PC have shown stiffness enhancement comparable to use of glass fibres. “This is probably caused by the fibre-like structure inherently present in the carbon network building block and the
April 2016 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 27
Main image: Management of ESD is a key demand driver for producers of electrically conductive polymers
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