01-01-2013, 03:46 PM
Conductive Polymer Nanocomposites
Conductive Polymers
Polymers are light weight, corrosion-resistant materials with a wide variety of industrial and military uses.
Three classes of polymer resins:
Thermoplastic (rigid, meltable, e.g. polyethylene)
Elastomer (stretchable, e.g. rubber)
Thermoset (rigid, not-meltable, e.g epoxy)
Polymers are generally NOT good conductors of electricity
However, electrical conductivity is desired in various polymer applications:
Electrostatic dischage, electostatic painting, EMI shielding,lightning strike protection, etc.
UDRI Technology Description
Method of Forming Conductive Polymeric Nanocomposite Materials and Materials Produced Thereby” (U.S. Patent Application 2003/0039816 A1)
Advantages
2-3 orders of magnitude more conductive than that produced by melt blending
Electronic percolation threshold < 1%
Use of affordable carbon nanofibers
Applications AND Markets
Electromagnetic inerference (EMI) shielding
Electromagnetic pulse applications
Electrical signal transfer
Electrostatic painting of panels
Electrostatic discharge
Lightning Strike Protection
Electro-optical devices (photovoltaic cells)