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pps proceeding
Symposium: S08 - Nanocarbon Based Composites, with CNPComp2017
Oral Presentation
 
 

Challenges to the industrial melt-processing of conductive plastics: can post-processing produce cost-effective conductivity uplifts?

Choong Gabriel Y.H. (1)*, De Focatiis Davide S.A. (1), Lidgett Mark J. (2), Thornton Matthew J. (2), Clifford Mike J. (1)

(1) University of Nottingham - Nottingham - UnitedKingdom, (2) Haydale Composite Solutions - Loughborough - UnitedKingdom

The preferred industrial processing route to incorporate graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) into thermoplastics is melt compounding. These compounds, made either by direct compounding or by masterbatch dilution, are subsequently formed into a component through further melt processes. The material properties, particularly electrical properties, are strongly dependent on the nanocomposite morphology obtained in the melt, and it is widely known that achieving satisfactory filler dispersion in melt-mixing is a major challenge. Despite this, there is significant commercial interest in how standard melt processing equipment could be used to produce GNP-filled plastics with electrical conductivity uplifts, due to both production cost and volume considerations. Previous studies have focused on material-related and compounding equipment related factors [1-3]. Here we focus on how thermal post-processing procedures can affect the kinetics of filler network morphology and enhance conductivity. Commercial polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, both filled with 10 wt.% GNP, are compounded in industrial extruders and subsequently injection or compression-moulded. These samples are then annealed at a range of times and temperatures. The paper will discuss the trade-offs between electrical conductivity and fast production times. References 1. Khanam P. N., AlMaadeed M. A., Ouederni M., Harkin-Jones E., Mayoral B., Hamilton A., Sun D., Vacuum, 2016, 130, 63-71. 2. Kalaitzidou K., Fukushima H., Askeland P., Drzal L.T., J. Mater. Sci., 2008, 43, (8), 2895 - 2907. 3. Wakabayashi K., Pierre C., Dikin D. A., Ruoff R. S., Ramanathan T., Brinson C. L., Torkelson J. M., Macromolecules, 2008, 41, (6), 1905-1908.