ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Electrically conductive compounds and CHEZACARB®
AC carbon black
Unipetrol Group’s highly conductive CHEZACARB®
AC carbon black is a
significant additive for polymers, resins and rubbers, expanding their scope of application into new fields by increasing conductivity. This high performance carbon black provides a large surface area of around 1000 m2
/g and DBF absorption of
around 400 ml/100 g. These properties, together with its particle structure, are responsible for the high performance provided at low addition levels in a broad variety of polymer matrices, ranging from polyolefins to ETPs and TPEs. The addition of CHEZACARB®
AC
reduces matrix resistivity, so the modified material is able to dissipate or safely conduct away unwanted static charge that could otherwise damage sensitive packed or transported goods. In principle, the CHEZACARB®
AC carbon black
elementary particles, which are sized around 10-30nm, create a network of chains through the matrix polymer. This network of chains creates conductive pathways that allow any unwanted charge to be grounded. Creating such a structure requires the use of twin-screw compounding extruder or a kneader extruder to disperse the carbon black particles. However, it is a delicate process. If the particles are
Figure 1: Performance of CHEZACARB®
Unipetrol’s CHEZACARB®
AC
conductive carbon black opens new opportunities for plastics
placed under too much shear stress—if the mixing period is too long or the material is processed multiple times—the network of chains can be destroyed leading to a reduction in conductivity. The main applications for CHEZACARB®
AC compounds include packaging, ESD shielding, flooring, pipes, safety protection, fuel tanks, transport boxes or pallets, special cables or even 3D printing filaments.
While dispersion of CHEZACARB® AC
requires the use of a twin-screw or kneader extruder, Unipetrol is also able to
AC in PP matrix (SR - Surface Resistivity, VR - Volume Resistivity)
supply concentrate or masterbatch versions. These MAKROPLUS®
CC grades
can be diluted and are ready-to-use directly on equipment such as single- screw extruders, injection moulding machines, and other processing machinery. The concentrate carrier is not limited only to polyolefins (PP, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE). Unipetrol can also supply tailor- made concentrates in EVA, PS, ABS, PET, PLA, PA6, PA66, PC and TPE. Both CHEZACARB®
AC carbon black and MAKROPLUS® CC concentrates can
very effectively enhance electrical conductivity. The dosage of carbon black required varies from 4% to 15% and is dependent on the polymer used and the processing technique. But such additions of carbon black can reach surface resistivity values ranging from 1012
to 5 Ω. A cooperation between Unipetrol and
Orlen Group has resulted in a range of PVC-based conductive concentrates and compounds for applications in profiles, cables and flooring. Over the coming months, Unipetrol will focus on development of conductive fibres based on PET, PA6 and PA66. As part of the company’s focus on the Circular Economy, its R&D team is also working to incorporate CHEZACARB®
AC into
recycled polymers for applications that do not require the highest mechanical performance.
www.unipetrol.cz/en
Image: Unipetrol RPA
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