THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE COMPOUNDS | TECHNOLOGY Managing the heat


Whether in smart devices or electric vehicles, thermal management is a growing challenge. Thermally conductive additives enable plastics compounders to develop cost effective solutions, writes Peter Mapleston


Thermally conductive additives provide compounders with the means to create novel polymer solutions that dissipate heat in a growing number of applications ranging from automotive to lighting. Growth is, perhaps, not be as fast as some would hope for, but there is strong potential in many sectors of industry where removal of heat is essential for ensuring long-term functionality. Plastics cannot match the conductivity of metals but in many cases what plastics can provide is more than enough. And, of course, they bring benefits such as simplified manufacturing and design flexibility that have seen them displace metals in so many projects.


Dr Elisabeth Gau, a Durethan product www.compoundingworld.com


development expert at Lanxess, which produces a range of thermally conductive PA compounds, sees growth driven by the trend toward electromobility, the increasing digitalisation of everyday life through smart home systems and the miniaturisation of electrical and electronic components. Meanwhile, Christine Van Bellingen, Business Development Manager at compounder Witcom Engineering Plastics, which is a specialist in this area, says heat exchangers and LED lights are the major markets of interest but sees e-mobility developments encouraging more thermally conductive plastics developments. “It is a good development ground for the involved players, from


Main image: Electronic heat sinks are a typical potential application for graphite-filled thermally conductive compounds


August 2020 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 25


IMAGE: IMERYS


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