THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE COMPOUNDS | TECHNOLOGY Tackling the thermal challenge
From smart devices to electric vehicles, opportunities for polymer-based thermal management solutions are growing
fast.Peter Mapleston finds out more
In a market driven by mega trends such as trans- port electrification, miniaturisation, metal replace- ment and light-weighting, thermal management increasingly calls for high performance solutions. The low thermal conductivity of thermoplastics historically restricted their use in heat dissipation applications. However, additive and compound developers are rising to the challenge by employ- ing thermally conductive mineral fillers to create polymer compounds that remove excess heat and help keep the end application within its ideal operating temperature range. As sales of electric vehicles (EVs) grow world-
wide, for example, there is an increasing need for materials that can support the new technologies they run on. The lifespan of a battery pack can be prolonged if its temperature is kept at a constant and moderate level. Heat produced in the charge- discharge-cycle can be effectively transported away from the system using thermally conductive battery parts such as gap fillers, pads and structural parts. These are often highly loaded with mineral fillers.
www.compoundingworld.com
Thermally conductive plastics cannot yet be
considered mainstream, but opportunities are there to be realised for compounders. “Thermally conductive plastics remain very niche products,” says Christine Van Bellingen, Business Develop- ment Manager, Conductive Compounds, at Wittenburg Group’s Witcom Engineering Plastics. “There are barriers to a widespread use which are more price than technically-related when only a minor improvement is necessary over simple plastics. It is the role of the compounder to wisely select the plastics and additives that will offer the best compromise.” Van Bellingen says that Witcom has the products and the ability to meet many of the emerging requirements but adds that partnerships are necessary to deliver the innovation required. “The minor space available and high weight of EV cars will push for new plastics developments involving thermally conductive or EMI shielded thermoplas- tic compounds, for ECU housings or battery cooling for instance,” she says.
Main image: With ‘smart’ technology finding its way into ever more consumer and industrial devices
demand for plastics that can help to manage heat is growing
� August 2021 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 41
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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
