MATERIALS | CARBON BLACK
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Demand for high “jetness” in sectors such as automotive requires carbon blacks with optimised structure
of carbon blacks for these applications. These are high structure carbon blacks with different levels of surface area (particle size). “High structure helps them to achieve high conductivity at relatively low loading and low surface area facilitates easy dispersion,” Kamat notes. “However, high structure increases the melt viscosity, which can make it difficult to process using many conventional compounding tech- niques. As the compounding equipment and polymers used by different customers varies, we work with our customers to not only identify the best carbon black, but also optimise compounding conditions to achieve the desired performance. The distinctive morphologies of these Conductex products provide an excellent balance of the critical properties that impact performance in ESD applications.” In addition, Kamat says, the high purity and consistency of Conductex blacks makes them easy to disperse and provides excellent surface smooth- ness. However, he adds that with the increasing complexity of the thermoplastics market in terms of resin selection, processing, and performance requirements, Birla has adopted a more coopera- tive approach towards product development. “A strong collaboration with the compounder and final product manufacturer provides a smooth transition of carbon blacks from production plant to final product,” he says. “We have successfully demonstrated this approach by developing new carbon blacks specifically designed to meet customer needs.” Kamat points out that carbon blacks originally designed for rubber applications cannot meet the processing and performance requirements of many thermoplastics applications due to the significant differences in physical, chemical, and processing behaviour of thermoplastics and rubber. “Hence, there is significant potential for development and
Figure 3: Conductivity percolation curves of diluted 32%w/w Ensaco250G and Ensaco260G polypropylene concentrates Source: Imerys Graphite & Carbon
improvement of carbon black performance in thermoplastics applications,” he says. One example cited by Kamat is fine denier fibre, which has stringent processing and performance requirements, including spinnability and dispers- ibility. Most carbon blacks fail to meet these challenging requirements, he says. “Birla Carbon uses advanced manufacturing techniques to produce Raven1300 Ultra to specifically meet both the processing and performance requirement of fine denier fibres.” Kamat also points to the development of carbon
blacks with increased surface area thanks to their finer particle size to meet the growing demand for high jetness (blackness) in high-value plastics. “Carbon blacks with high surface area are difficult to disperse in a polymer matrix,” he says. “We not only focus on colour development, but also on processability,” he says. Birla’s recently introduced Raven 2800 Ultra,
Raven 2900 Ultra and Raven 3000 Ultra were particularly designed with these requirements in mind. “These carbon blacks, because of their unique combination of surface area and structure, are easy to disperse and hence provide excellent jetness,” Kamat claims.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: ❯
www.blackbearcarbon.com ❯
www.pyrolyx.com ❯
www.monolithmaterials.com ❯
www.akzonobel.com ❯
www.unipetrol.cz/en ❯
www.imerys-graphite-and-carbon.com ❯
www.cabotcorp.com ❯
www.birlacarbon.com
34 COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2017
www.compoundingworld.com
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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