THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE | COMPOUNDS IMAGE: THE PROTOOL PLASTICS GROUP
Electronic miniaturisation and new markets such as e-mobility are driving interest in cost-effective polymer-based thermal management solutions. Mikell Knights learns more
Compound opportunities in thermal management
Global demand for thermally conductive polymer materials is set to increase, driven by a rise in demand for device miniaturisation, space con- straints and technological product advancement. Heat dissipation remains the primary driver for the increased use of thermally conductive materials in electronic cooling, automotive applications, and LED lighting. While metals such as aluminum and its alloys can deliver thermal conductivity in the range from 80 to 250 W/m·K, the latest conductive polymer material formulations can now offer thermal conductivities as high as 30 W/m·K, together with the familiar polymer benefits of lighter weight, part integration, ease of processing, and electrical insulation. According to Envalior (the recently formed JV
that brought together the ETPs businesses of Lanxess and DSM), thermally conductive plastics hold great potential for use in thermal management
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of charging systems for electric vehicles. It cites the recent example of a charge controller for a full electric vehicle for a German OEM, which is manu- factured by Leopold Kostal. The controller converts the three-phase or alternating current fed in from the charging station to direct current and controls the charging process, limiting the charging voltage and current to prevent overcharging of the battery. The new controller contains a cooling element
that dissipates the heat generated in the plug contacts while charging takes place. The element is made in an Envalior PA6 compound — Durethan BTC965FM30 — which is thermally conductive and electrically insulating.
“Our polyamide is filled with special mineral
heat-conducting particles that conduct this heat efficiently away from the source,” says Dr Steffen Cichy, Technical Key Account Manager at Lanxess. The mineral particles in the Durethan formulation
September 2023 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 15
Main image: Thermally conductive plastics have made strong headway in heat sink applications, where they offer cost and design benefits
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