RTP Company, a global leader in specialty compounding, introduces Nanotube conductive compounds at NPE 2000.

Nanotube Compounds (NTC’s), a family of specialty conductive thermoplastic compounds, deliver uniform and precise surface resistivity throughout a resistivity spectrum from strong ESD to strong anti-static—typically 104 to 109 ohms/sq.

NTC’s contain hollow carbon nanotubes that are thousands of times smaller in diameter than carbon fibers. This “nano-scale” size means an extremely high aspect ratio (length:diameter), thus giving conductive properties at very low loadings. Achieving similar conductivity using traditional additives such as carbon fiber or carbon black requires higher loadings that may affect properties such as strength and toughness/impact, processing, and surface finish.

The small size and low levels of the conductive nanotubes enable NTC’s to maintain a surface finish on molded parts similar to the neat resin, and allows thin-wall molds to fill with standard processing conditions.

NTC’s are ideally suited for wafer processing, disk-drive components, and cleanroom applications. They are beneficial in automotive applications needing static discharge protection such as fuel system components. Other automotive uses are body attachments like mirror housings, door handles, wheel covers, bumpers, fenders, and interior parts. In such applications, their conductivity makes NTC’s excellent candidates for electrostatic painting without using a conductive primer.

NTC’s are currently available in polyolefins, nylons, polycarbonate/ABS, polystyrene, polycarbonate, PBT, PPS, PEI, and PEEK, with ongoing development in other engineering resins.

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