TAGS: Polymer Reinforcement
The annual NAUM industry summit was attended by 450 delegates from 31 countries in Kyoto, to share their experience in applying graphene nanotubes in various types of polymers. New breakthroughs and the main challenges in the field of nanopolymers were among the key topics of discussion at the event held from 5 to 6 November 2019.
Increase in Graphene Nanotube Applications
Wind turbines, tires, anti-static packaging and clothes, home and industrial electronics, car parts –the number of graphene nanotube-enhanced polymer applications is growing fast, building an ecosystem of greater efficiency and durability. The main benefit of these tiny tubes’ is the opportunity to combine permanent anti-static properties with good mechanical performance.
The LEHVOSS Group presented their results on improving the performance of PA6, PA12, PPS and TPU with graphene nanotube formulations that are already available on a commercial scale. With the help of graphene nanotubes, the company has been able to develop the first electrically conductive laser sinter material in the market, suitable for power bed fusion and FFF technologies.
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If you think about applications, these are carriers, trays, housings, switchers, containers and medical equipment,” said Marco Burth, LEHVOSS Group Product Development Manager.
Trelleborg has recognized graphene nanotubes’ ability to provide conductivity and to improve aging and abrasion resistance in thermoplastics. At NAUM’19, the company shared its results in solving the serious problem of the large radar cross-section (RCS) of wind turbines, which interferes with airport-approach radar system.
Graphene Nanotubes Absorb Incident Radar
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Using graphene nanotubes in the thermoplastic components helps to absorb over 99 percent of the incident radar wave to make the coated object ‘stealthy’. Gigawatts of renewable energy power can be unlocked by using this technology,” explained Adam Nevin, Innovation Lead of Trelleborg Applied Technologies.
By overcoming the typical drawbacks, the biodegradable polymer nanocomposites are suitable for direct delivery of electrical stimulation to a cell, and as tissue material for osteosynthesis and for neural and cardiac repair. They can also be used as a component material for transient electronics and anti-static packaging.
Arctic Biomaterials focuses on sustainable and biodegradable plastics. “
We are creating biodegradable composites with TUBALL™ nanotubes,” said Ari Rosling, R&D Director.
Graphene Nanotubes in Rubbers and Tires Industry
NAUM’19 experts said that a huge market that is already adopting graphene nanotubes is rubbers and tires. “
The key issue for the industry is combining mechanical performance with a stable level of conductivity,” noted Ekaterina Gorbunova, Vice President for Elastomers of
OCSiAl. Nanotubes solve this problem in NBR, EPDM and natural rubbers.
Jean-Nicolas Helt, OCSiAl Development and Support Leader, stated that, after the inventions of radial construction and silica technology, the third big revolution in the tire industry is now possible thanks to graphene nanotubes, which improve all the key properties at the same time, something that was unachievable with any conventional additive.
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TUBALL™ nanotubes optimize the overall performance, improve the abrasion resistance leading to a longer life, bring a strong improvement in wet grip that boosts safety, enable excellent electrical conductivity resulting in equipment protection, and allow a unique improvement in rolling resistance that reduces vehicles’ energy consumption and emissions.”
The heat and chemical resistance of fluoroelastomers means that they are in high demand in the automotive, semiconductor, and oil and gas industries. “By using a very low amount of TUBALL nanotubes in fluoroelastomers, we can increase the tear strength, conductivity and modulus, and probably even the abrasion resistance,” said Junpei Terada, Marketing Section Manager of
DAIKIN Industries, at the Summit in Kyoto.
The fifth annual Nanoaugmented Materials Industry Summit 2019 demonstrated that the range of graphene nanotube-enhanced polymer applications is growing explosively, bringing more opportunities to engineers to develop completely new materials and products, such as food and electronics packaging, industrial rollers, conveyer belts, cables, textile fibers and urban vehicle tires.
Source: NAUM’19