THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE | TECHNOLOGY
Applications for thermally conductive compounds are developing as their practical use becomes more extensively developed and understood. Mark Holmes finds out more
Keeping heat on the move
Plastics are not known for their thermal conductivity. However, interest in polymer compounds that offer enhanced thermal conductivity is developing as new applications emerge in areas ranging from automotive and electrical and electronics to medical devices and lighting. The move to reduced weight and the ongoing shift away from metals in many applications is also promoting their use. There are now a broad selection of additives available to improve thermal conductivity, but particular attention must be paid during compounding to ensure other important properties are not compromised. The message from German company Georg H
Luh is that while thermally conductive compounds have not yet reached mass market status, there are many interesting developmental projects currently going on in different industries. These projects will provide a boost to the thermally conductive compounds market and support further developments in the field. Thermal management in the automotive industry is one area that is becoming increasingly important. “LED lights are getting more popular and have different requirements concerning heat management, which support the use of heat
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conductive compounds. In addition, battery systems in electric and hybrid vehicles create more heat than conventional battery systems, so there is a need for new concepts concerning heat management,” says Klaus Rathberger, General Manager at Georg H Luh. “Thermal management in the passenger cabin also becomes more important in electric vehicles because their use requires efficient usage of electrical battery energy. This provides great potential for intelligent solutions based on thermally conductive compounds. Similarly, the advantages of moulding, lightweight and corrosion-resistance will also support new applications in the chemical industry, for example,” he says. Rathberger believes that new thermally conductive compound solutions are going to require new additive developments. “Current additive solutions for thermal management are either efficient but costly, cheap but not efficient enough, or have other disadvantages like a major negative impact on the mechanical or corrosion properties of the compound,” he says. “Some optimised additive solutions would be highly efficient, cheap and show only a small impact on the properties of the compound. There are unlikely
Main image: Automotive is expected to be a key market for thermally conductive plastics in the future
April 2019 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 15
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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