Novel applications for carbon-based nanotechnologies
Futurecarbon is exhibiting its products at the Hanover Fair in hall 6 at booth K14. One of the highlights is a vehicle door with a Carbo e-Therm electrical heating coating that can be operated on a safe voltage of 12V. Carbo e-Therm is easily applied, manually or mechanically, to different shapes and forms, typically for heating complex surface geometries or guarding against frost. In the automobile industry Carbo e-Therm is now being used to electrically heat steering wheels, dashboards and doors. But this is not the only sector to profit from the advantages. The foodstuffs industry has discovered Carbo e-Therm for tempering production plant, and in other sectors it is used to protect piping against frost. Visitors will have ample opportunity to see the surface heating possibilities offered by Carbo e-Therm.Futurecarbon will also be demonstrating Carbogran, a simply dispersed granulate of carbon nanotubes that is suitable for direct use in various manufacturing processes. Visitors can learn how easily Carbogran is dissolved in fluids and compare this to standard carbon nanomaterials. Carbogran dissolves immediately and the carbon nanotubes distribute evenly in the fluid.
Carbogran can be used to create electrical conductivity in materials; dispersions of Carbogran are worked into fabrics and fleeces to make them electrically conducting and suitable for producing special-purpose antistatic clothing. Carbogran is also used for varnish or paint formulations with carbon nanotubes, intended for the automobile industry or machine plant. Surfaces that charge electrically can then subsequently be given a discharging layer of paint.
Yet another application for Carbogran is in the manufacture of electrically conducting thermoplastic compounds. The powder is free-flowing and non-dusty, so it can go into standard compounding processes. Dispersibility in polymers such as polyamide is said to be very good. The electrical conductivity of CNT (carbon nanotube) compounds is high enough for powder coating without subsequently degrading the mechanical properties of the polymer.
For more information, visit www.future-carbon.de
