ADDITIVES | NANOCOMPOSITES
EC updates nano definition
The European Commission recently updated its definition of nanomate- rials, originally set down in 2011, as part of a move to align regulation across different sectors. According to the EC Directorate-
General of the Environment, the aim of the 2022 update is to ease imple- mentation without significantly affecting the scope of already identified nanomaterials. Among a number of changes, the
update extends the 2011 definition of particles (one or more dimensions in the 1-100nm range) to include elongated particles with two dimen- sions less than 1nm and one greater than 100nm, and platelets where one dimension is less than 1nm and two greater than 100nm. The 50% particle threshold is maintained but particles, of whatever shape, with a volume
New nano definition intended to help align EU regulation
specific surface area of less than 6m2 cm3
will no longer be considered
nanomaterials. Immediate impact on the plastics industry is likely to be limited in the short term, however, as the original
supported by the company’s nano-compounding, moulding and testing capabilities. These include a dedicated compounding line allowing it to provide customised solutions.
Electrifying trends The company says the global trends of electrifica- tion and light-weighting in transportation require products to be lighter, smaller, and thinner while increasing connectivity. This calls for polymer compounds providing enhanced conductivity, mechanical integrity, and electromagnetic interfer- ence (EMI) shielding. Meanwhile, high frequency 5G applications also
increase the susceptibility of delicate electronic components to EMI and electromagnetic compat- ibility (EMC) issues. The latest addition to the Cabot nanomaterial
portfolio is its Athlos CNS product line. The com- pany acquired the technology behind the Athlos materials from Lockheed Martin back in 2018. Providing much more structure than a conventional CNT, the company describes the Athlos CNS additives as 97% carbon, highly branched, high purity and crosslinked and says they enable high electrical conductivity, good processibility and good EMI shielding to be realised in plastic components.
24 COMPOUNDING WORLD | October 2022
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2011 definitions are set down in EU laws such as REACH, the Biocidal Products Regulation, and Medical Devices Regulation and will remain legally binding. �
https://ec.europa.eu/info/index_en
Electrical percolation thresholds are typically between 0.25 and 0.5wt% in plastic ESD/EMI shield- ing applications, according to Cabot. CNS struc- tures are also considered to be a little easier to disperse in the polymer than CNTs. “In addition to our AthlosCNS particles, we
recently launched the Cabelec XS69 series of CNS concentrates,” says Bernadette Corujo, Cabot Mar- keting Manager Americas, Specialty Compounds. “These are pre-dispersed carbon nanostruc-
tures in concentrate form that are optimised for maximum electrical conductivity. Each uses a different polymer carrier system to maximise compatibility in high-performance plastic applica- tions,” Corujo explains.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
https://nanoxplore.ca/ �
www.firstgraphene.net �
www.neograf.com �
www.gerdaugraphene.com �
www.colloids.com �
www.moderndispersions.com �
www.graphmatech.com �
www.versarien.com �
www.universalmatter.com �
www.nanocyl.com �
www.cabotcorp.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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