What is CNT (Carbon Nanotube) Masterbatch?

 

Hello,

In this article, I will discuss CNT Masterbatch (Carbon Nanotube Masterbatch), which is a continuation of the previous topic.

Carbon atoms are arranged in a hexagonal pattern to form graphene sheets, which are rolled into a tube structure at the nanoscale. This material exhibits excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, making it widely used in various advanced industrial fields.

CNT Masterbatch is a high-concentration masterbatch made by evenly dispersing CNT (Carbon Nanotubes) into polymers or plastics. It is primarily added to plastic products to improve conductivity, strength, durability, and heat resistance.

CNT Masterbatch

Features of CNT Masterbatch

1. Conductivity Enhancement: CNTs have high electrical conductivity, so when added to standard plastics, they can impart conductivity. This is useful for applications like electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and electromagnetic shielding in electronic devices.

2. Improved Mechanical Properties: CNTs possess high strength and durability, significantly enhancing the physical strength and endurance of the material. This is beneficial for applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and sports equipment, where lightweight and high strength are crucial.

3. High-Temperature Stability: CNTs provide high-temperature stability, allowing the material to maintain its performance in elevated temperatures, making it ideal for use in electronic devices that operate in high-heat environments.

Manufacturing and Usage of CNT Masterbatch

-CNT Masterbatch is crucial for uniformly dispersing CNTs into the base material, such as plastics.

-It is typically produced through extrusion or mixing processes and can be combined with other additives to enhance specific functionalities. After manufacturing, it is added to the final product in the necessary ratio during the production process.

-Since carbon nanotubes tend to agglomerate easily, effectively dispersing them is a key technical challenge. Below is the general manufacturing method.

1. Raw Material Preparation

-CNT Powder: The raw material for carbon nanotubes is prepared. The final properties will vary depending on the length, diameter, and wall thickness of the CNTs, so it is important to select CNTs that match the required characteristics.

(CNT powder refers to carbon nanotubes in powdered form. It is a very light, black powder, where multiple carbon atoms are connected in a cylindrical nanostructure. The diameter is only a few nanometers, while the length can be several micrometers, making it an extremely fine structure. Due to its strong mechanical properties, high conductivity, and excellent thermal conductivity, it is widely used in various advanced material fields.)

CNT Powder

-Plastic Resin: Select the appropriate plastic or rubber base material, such as PP or PE, according to the intended use of the masterbatch.

2. CNT Surface Treatment

-Improving Dispersion: Since CNTs tend to clump together, surface treatments are applied to enhance their dispersion.

-Coating: The surface is treated or coated with other materials to ensure better compatibility with the base material.

3. Mixing with Polymer

-Mixing Process: CNT and polymer are mixed at high temperatures using an extruder. A dispersant is added to help the CNTs spread evenly throughout the base material.

-Extrusion and Cooling: The mixed material is extruded and then cooled to form a solid state. Maintaining dispersion during this process is critical.

4. Pelletization

-The cooled material is cut into small pellet-sized pieces. These pellets are the CNT masterbatch used in the final product manufacturing.

5. Inspection

-The degree of dispersion, electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength are measured to ensure the quality meets the required standards. If needed, further dispersion or improvement processes are carried out.

The manufactured CNT masterbatch is added in small amounts during the final product manufacturing process.

The difference between CNT Masterbatch and Antistatic Masterbatch

1.Composition Materials

-CNT Masterbatch: Contains carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which provide high electrical conductivity. The CNTs form conductive pathways that quickly dissipate static electricity, offering both high electrical conductivity and antistatic properties.

-Antistatic Masterbatch: Typically contains antistatic agents to prevent static electricity. It suppresses the accumulation of charge to reduce static, but does not offer permanent conductivity like CNT Masterbatch.

2.Additional Properties

-CNT Masterbatch: In addition to preventing static, it greatly enhances mechanical strength, durability, and thermal properties. It is especially effective for automotive parts, electronic device cases, and in applications requiring durability. It is also useful for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

-Antistatic Masterbatch: Primarily focuses on static prevention and is used in general applications such as plastic packaging and disposable protective equipment. It does not have special conductive properties and is not intended for high-performance needs.

3.Cost and Applications

-CNT Masterbatch: Due to the manufacturing process and raw material costs, CNT Masterbatch tends to be more expensive and is used in high-performance industrial applications.

-Antistatic Masterbatch: Relatively cheaper and used in general products where static protection is needed, such as packaging materials and protective gear.

Both masterbatches offer antistatic properties, but CNT Masterbatch is used in high-performance products requiring multifunctionality and durability, while Antistatic Masterbatch is more suitable for cost-effective static prevention applications.

Products Made Using CNT Masterbatch

1. Electronic and Electrical Components
-Electronic Device Enclosures: Outer casings for smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices that require both static protection and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

-Battery Components: CNT masterbatch is used in the anode materials or electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries to improve conductivity and extend battery life.

-Antistatic Trays and Packaging: Packaging materials used to protect semiconductors and electronic components from static electricity.

Battery Components

Antistatic Trays

2. Automotive Parts

-Lightweight Body Parts: Used in body parts requiring lightweight and strength improvements, particularly in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or hybrid vehicle components.

-Fuel Tanks and Wiring: Components like fuel tanks and electrical wiring that require high durability and conductivity.

Electric vehicle components

3. Aerospace and Defense Industry

-Aircraft Structural Materials: CNT masterbatch is added to high-performance composite materials used in aircraft structures to enhance lightweight properties and strength.

-Satellite and Space Components: CNT masterbatch is used to provide strength, heat resistance, and electromagnetic shielding capabilities, ensuring durability even in extreme environments.

Aircraft materials

Satellite components

4. Industrial components

-Antistatic mats and films: Antistatic materials used in production lines, such as mats and films.

-EMI shielding components: Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding components used to protect communication equipment and sensitive electronic components.

Antistatic film

Antistatic film

*In this way, CNT masterbatch is widely used in product lines that require high performance and plays an important role in the development of multifunctional composite materials, unlike typical antistatic products.

*For any inquiries about CNT Masterbatch products, please leave a comment or contact us via the email provided in the description, and we will respond promptly.

http://khanpolymer.com/

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