Hyperion's multi-wall graphite nano-tubes have 10-nm OD and are 10 to 100 microns long, for at least a 1000:1 aspect ratio. The small size and curvilinear shape of these “fibrils” makes them difficult to disperse in plastics. To ensure satisfactory dispersion, Hyperion supplies the fibrils in pelletized masterbatches containing 15-20% fibrils, which can be let down to as little as 0.5% by weight.

Jeff Frankish, director of global market development at PolyOne’s Compounds & Colors unit, says OEM users of conductive compounds are “raising the performance bar” for these materials. “Multi-functionality” is increasingly being built into formulations, he says. As examples, he cites ESD and EMI grades from PolyOne that are also lubricated, based partly on recycled resins, or modified to process on specific equipment.

Core Technology Molding turned to Mold-Masters E-Multi auxiliary injection unit to help it win a job and dramatically change its process.

Bayer has concluded that blends of various carbon-based conductive additives, including Hyperion’s nano-tubes are a cost-effective way to tackle e-painting needs. Indeed, compatibilized blends of carbon additives are employed in new 30%-glass nylon 6 and TP polyester molding compounds that reportedly provide superior surface smoothness in door handles, fuel flaps, and large exterior auto parts.

Implementing a production monitoring system as the foundation of a ‘smart factory’ is about integrating people with new technology as much as it is about integrating machines and computers. Here are tips from a company that has gone through the process.

August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Electrostatic paintability without need for a conductive primer is another property that makes conductive plastics attractive to auto makers. GE Plastics is taking a new tack in formulating Noryl PPO alloys for e-paintable auto parts. Five years ago, GE was one of the first to adopt Hyperion’s carbon nano-tubes in Noryl 990E, used in mirror housings. That grade has been discontinued for unstated reasons, but cost certainly played a role in the decision.

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

When determining the best ejection option for a tool, molders must consider the ejector’s surface area, location and style.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

There are even emerging applications for plastics to be nearly as conductive as pure carbon—such as bipolar plates and end plates for fuel cells.

RTP offers ICP compounds based on PP, PS, PE, and PC/ABS. These provide permanent ESD, accept 25% recycle content, and have a wide range of colorability. The compounds have potential in industrial packaging and containers, material-handling boxes and totes, and shelves and racks for electronics. RTP is working to stretch ICP compound performance into the EMI-shielding range (10 to 100 ohm/sq).

Designing a thermoplastic compound to conduct an electrical charge is difficult and costly, since most polymers are naturally ill suited to the task. Plastics generally have surface resistivities of 1012 ohm/sq or higher, which puts them at the insulative end of the electrical spectrum (see graph). That is advantageous in many uses, but is a liability in others. Indeed, some degree of electrical conductivity is critical to a growing number of plastics applications.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

Because of its low cost, traditional carbon black is still the workhorse in conductive plastics. However, carbon black makes it difficult for compounders to hit a specific level of conductivity. It also imposes severe property tradeoffs and limitations on colorability. What's more, "sloughing" of conductive particles can damage microelectronic devices.

Ticona recently introduced an ESD acetal grade for auto fuel-line parts. Celcon CF802 uses novel compatibilizer technology to bond reinforcing fiber to the matrix. That is said to minimize mechanical property tradeoffs and increase resistance to attack by fuels.

When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

One of the difficulties with carbon black is that small changes in concentration in a plastic compound can produce large leaps in conductivity. The “smoother” ESD performance curve offered by ICP-based compounds is a big advantage, Dahman says. It is far easier to tailor performance for a specific end-use and thereby optimize cost-performance. ICP compounds are priced at an intermediate point between carbon-black and carbon-fiber compounds.

LNP’s Ultra-Clean Stat-Kon slate of ESD materials for high-purity applications uses nano-tubes in PEEK and PEI compounds for wafer-carrier and disk-drive components. Ionic contamination is said to be 65% to 90% lower than in carbon-fiber compounds.

Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

GE is also focusing on fuel filler doors, 78% of which are made of steel and painted on-line with other steel parts. GE sources believe that conversion of this application to plastics requires on-line e-paintable compounds. GE is proposing a nylon-modified PPO (Noryl GTX) made electrically conductive with carbon black.

Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.

IDP-based compounds offer ESD protection, good colorability, and even translucency, as shown in ABS silicon-wafer carriers (top) and nylon handles of computer screwdrivers. (Photos: PolyOne and LNP)

Processors with sustainability goals or mandates have a number of ways to reach their goals. Biopolymers are among them.

The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda:  Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI

"Nano-carbons may prove to be in the 21st century what aluminum was in the 20th," declares Max Lake, president of Applied Sciences, an advanced-materials R&D firm in Cedarsville, Ohio. Like aluminum, he says, the miniscule, high-aspect-ratio nano-particles impart extraordinary strength and light weight. In plastics, nano-carbons can also significantly enhance both electrical and thermal conductivity.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Join KraussMaffei for an insightful webinar designed for industry professionals, engineers and anyone interested in the manufacturing processes of PVC pipes. This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technology behind the production of high-quality PVC pipes: from raw material preparation to final product testing. Agenda: Introduction to PVC extrusion: overview of the basic principles of PVC pipe extrusion — including the process of melting and shaping PVC resin into pipe forms Equipment and machinery: detailed explanation of the key equipment involved — such as extruders, dies and cooling systems — and their roles in the extrusion process Process parameters: insight into the critical process parameters like temperature, pressure and cooling rates that influence the quality and consistency of the final PVC pipes Energy efficiency: examination of ways to save material and energy use when extruding PVC pipe products

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

Sustainability continues to dominate new additives technology, but upping performance is also evident. Most of the new additives have been targeted to commodity resins and particularly polyolefins.

Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.

Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.

Automotive fuel delivery systems are a focus of interest for makers of ESD compounds. Parts subject to swift or turbulent gas flow (e.g., filler-line pockets or line connectors) require conductivity to thwart static build-up and the risk of sparks and explosion. That is a major reason why large-volume applications like fuel filler lines, chassis pipes, and fuel-pump housings are still overwhelmingly made of steel.

PTI Global’s new structure helps facilitate development and commercialization. PTI’s North American and European locations will continue to conduct package design and development activities, as well as rapid prototyping, material evaluation and other engineering support services.

Cost is the major limit on nano-tube use, as Hyperion’s fibrils are priced at around $50/lb. Over the long haul, Collins argues, the start-up of world-scale plants will bring prices down.

Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions

EMS-Grivory is also compounding nickel and zinc ferrite powders into nylon 12 and high-temperature nylons for use in “soft” magnets. These molded devices become magnetized in the presence of a current, thereby providing EMI protection for air-bag connectors and other sensitive control elements. Polymer magnets are more durable than the sintered magnets they replace, and also offer greater design freedom and the potential for lower-cost manufacture and assembly. Polymer magnets could also provide EMI protection to computers and appliances, Riffer says.

ICP- and IDP-based compounds promise to remedy all these shortcomings. They typically create a more uniform and complete conductive network than do dispersions of discrete particles of carbon black or even stainless-steel fibers. ICPs and IDPs often work at lower loadings, detract less from matrix-resin properties, and are more colorable than conventional products. IDPs even allow formulating transparent or translucent ESD products.

The Converters Expo brings together converters of paper, film, plastics, and nonwovens with industry buyers, specialists, and suppliers. Join us at Lambeau Field for a day of education and connection with industry peers. Find new manufacturing partners, discover the most up-to-date testing and prototyping equipment, network with like-minded industry professionals, and learn the latest in printing and packaging.

Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.

Say “manufacturing automation” and thoughts immediately go to the shop floor and specialized production equipment, robotics and material handling systems. But there is another realm of possible automation — the front office.

Improvements in nozzle design in recent years overcome some of the limitations of previous filter, mixing, and shut-off nozzles.

Successfully starting or restarting an injection molding machine is less about ticking boxes on a rote checklist and more about individually assessing each processing scenario and its unique variables.

With advocacy, communication and sustainability as three main pillars, Seaholm leads a trade association to NPE that ‘is more active today than we have ever been.’

GE has now shifted its attention to e-paintable PPO compounds for automotive body panels like fenders. It is using carbon-black powder and a high-temperature PPO that can withstand 400 F bake temperatures for the E-Coat anticorrosion treatment. This e-paintable PPO is due to be commercialized this summer.

Plastics Technology covers technical and business Information for Plastics Processors in Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding, Plastic Additives, Compounding, Plastic Materials, and Resin Pricing. About Us

This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI, pti-usa.com) announces structural realignment and business unit name changes to better serve brand owner package development needs. The changes will enable brand owners to improve speed-to-market in order to more rapidly capitalize on commercialization opportunities.

In a time where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the food and beverage packaging industry is required to be at the forefront of this innovation. By adopting circular packaging processes and solutions, producers can meet regulatory requirements while also satisfying consumer demand and enhancing brand reputation. Join Husky to learn more about the broader implications of the circular economy — as well as how leading brands are leveraging this opportunity to reduce costs, increase design flexibility and boost product differentiation. Agenda: The cost and operational benefits of embracing circularity Key materials in circular packaging — including rPET and emerging bioplastics How to design a circular food and beverage package Strategies for selecting sustainable closures to future-proof packaging solutions Optimization and streamlining of production processes for enhanced efficiency How Husky Technologies can enable your sustainable success

Converters Expo South is a one-day expo that unites converters of paper, film, plastics, and nonwovens with industry buyers, specialists, and suppliers. Join us in Greenville, South Carolina – for a day of education and connection with industry peers. Find new manufacturing and production partners, check out the latest converting technology and equipment, network with like-minded professionals, and more!

Designing a thermoplastic compound to conduct an electrical charge is difficult and costly, since most polymers are naturally ill suited to the task.

Hyperion’s initial slate of nylon 6 and 66, PBT, and PC masterbatches has recently been broadened to include PEEK, PEI (GE’s Ultem polyetherimide), PPS, nylon 12, and PS. Coming next are PP, PET, and EVA masterbatches. Current uses include a nylon 12 that replaces metal in automotive fuel lines. It combines excellent ESD performance plus elevated toughness, which translates into the added safety benefit of increased rupture resistance. E-paintable compounds based on nano-tubes impart the necessary conductivity at just 2-3% loadings while offering a Class A surface quality.

LNP’s Stat-Loy family uses an IDP to impart permanent antistatic and ESD properties (109 to 1012 ohm/sq) to a variety of resins, including PC/ABS and a transparent ABS.

Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.

In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.

Neil Hardwick, Noveon's marketing manager, says a recent initiative is tri-layer HIPS sandwich structures that optimize IDP cost-effectiveness in thermoformable sheets. For instance, one structure puts carbon-filled HIPS at the core (providing good volume resistivity and EMI shielding) while the skin layers include an IDP/HIPS compound to eliminate slough ing while ensuring excellent surface dissipation.

Plastics Technology’s Tech Days is back! Every Tuesday in October, a series of five online presentations will be given by industry supplier around the following topics:  Injection Molding — New Technologies, Efficiencies Film Extrusion — New Technologies, Efficiencies Upstream/Downstream Operations Injection Molding — Sustainability Extrusion — Compounding Coming out of NPE2024, PT identified a variety of topics, technologies and trends that are driving and shaping the evolution of plastic products manufacturing — from recycling/recyclability and energy optimization to AI-based process control and automation implementation. PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.

technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.

A novel pitch-based carbon fiber developed by Conoco Cevolution will be manufactured at a 4-million-lb/yr plant in Ponca City, Okla., due to come on stream in the second quarter of this year. Samples are already available. Eduardo Romero, industry manager for electrical/electronics, says Cevolution’s mesophase pitch fiber offers an order of magnitude higher electrical conductivity than PAN-type carbon fibers and significantly greater stiffness as well. The stiffness can be tailored to specific end-uses. Other benefits are outstanding purity and high thermal conductivity. These fibers will be priced to compete with PAN fibers in some applications. Romero sees potential in ESD, EMI shielding, e-paintable auto parts, and fuel-cell plates.

“We realize that brand owners are racing to meet timelines and be the first in their category with their offerings. With PTI’s vast knowledge of plastic material attributes and production requirements, we have the necessary expertise to help them realize those objectives, in a cost-effective manner,” Robinson said.

A particular strength of ICPs is their ability to drain off static charge in a highly exact and reproducible way, says Sam Dahman, product development engineer at RTP Co. RTP holds exclusive North American rights to develop ESD compounds based on the only commercial polyaniline ICP, a product supplied by Panipol of Finland. A recent breakthrough by RTP and Panipol maintains thermal stability and ensures uniform dispersion of polyaniline during melt processing.Conventional carbon black tends to suffer twin deficits when used to impart ESD protection: It dissipates across a wide range of surface conductivities, while disparities in voltage also tend to persist on the part surface in the form of “hot” and “cold” spots. RTP data, for instance, show that a part made of one carbon-black-filled PP has a surface resistivity ranging from 105 to 1012 ohm/sq. A comparable ICP-based part consistently hits a narrow range of 106 to 107 ohm/sq.

Baystar's Borstar technology is helping customers deliver better, more reliable production methods to greenhouse agriculture.

In recent years, others have introduced compounds based on IDPs comparable to (but different from) Noveon’s. New players include LNP, RTP, Lati USA, and DSM Engineering Plastics. DSM has just diversified its carbon-based ElectraFil line by adding IDP-based products.

Another driver is the trend toward electrostatic spray painting of automotive and industrial parts. This method, in which paint drops are positively charged and the parts are grounded (negatively charged), is generating a flood of "e-paintable" compounds whose conductivity is tailored to optimize painting efficiency. E-painting is said to reduce overspray by up to 50%, thereby cutting both cost and volatile emissions.

Lati recently launched the LatiOhm family of IDP-based compounds in PP, nylon 6, PBT, and PC. They are aimed at ESD roles in smoke detectors and power-tool housings. This family is said to provide surface resistivity from 104 to 1012 ohm/sq. Products are non-sloughing and are colorable in blue, purple, and green.

Noveon (formerly part of BFGoodrich) has developed an IDP that works in the 106 to 1011 ohm/sq surface resistivity range, offering permanent static control. Noveon uses this IDP exclusively in its own Stat-Rite compounds for injection molding and extrusion. IDPs are generally elastomers (Noveon's is a TP urethane) that contain "charge-carrying blocks" able to conduct current, but in a more restricted part of the antistatic and ESD spectrum than is covered by ICPs. In some cases, the hydrophilic nature of an IDP helps boost conductivity at the part surface. In the past, thermal-stability limits confined IDP use to low-temperature matrix resins like HIPS, PETG, ABS, and TPU, but Noveon has recently expanded its Stat-Rite line to include PP and TPU/PC compounds.

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

Cevolution’s fiber will be made with a continuous process that is capable of very high productivity and uses relatively low-cost feedstocks. The raw form is a randomly oriented, continuous-filament mat, but user-friendly forms (chopped and milled fibers and needled mat) are being developed.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.

Suppliers of nano-carbons include Hyperion Catalysis, the sole commercial supplier in North America; Japan's Mitsui and Showa Denko; and an Applied Sciences affiliate, Pyrograf Products. The latter's developmental graphite nano-fiber is 100-200 nm in diam. x 100 microns long, giving it a 500-1000:1 aspect ratio. It's available in sample quantities at $70/lb. (A semi-works plant is being built.) At loadings of 0.5% to 5% by volume, Pyrograf's PF24 carbon nano-fiber boosts stiffness of plastics by 500% and drops their surface resistivity to the range of 1 to 1010 ohm/sq.

Addressing hot-runner benefits, improvements, and everyday issues from the perspective of decades of experience with probably every brand on the market. Part 1 of 2.

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

New type of pitch-based carbon fiber, soon to be commercialized by Conoco Cevolution offers higher conductivity and stiffness than other carbon fibers while remaining at the low end of the price scale. (Photo: Conoco)

Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.

Pat Collins, Hyperion’s marketing manager, says fibril-based compounds can cover the full electrical spectrum at loadings at least 50% lower than would be needed with carbon fibers (which are gigantic in physical size compared with fibrils). Retention of toughness and ductility with the nano-tubes reportedly far exceeds that for the best conventional conductive compounds. Viscosity is minimally affected, Hyperion says, so its fibrils are highly suitable for thin-wall molding and provide excellent surface quality in appearance parts. There is less differential shrinkage and part warpage than with conventional filled compounds.

New conductive technologies are emerging, one being a class of polymers intrinsically able to carry a current along their polymer chains. Inherently Conductive Polymers and Inherently Dissipative Polymers (ICPs and IDPs) differ in the range of conductivity they impart and the mechanism involved. Both categories are now melt-processable and thus highly efficient at creating conductive networks when alloyed with a thermoplastic matrix polymer.

Nano-tube-based compounds offering 104 to 109 ohm/sq surface resistivity at 4-7% loadings are offered by RTP. Scott Koberna, RTP product manager for conductive compounds, says RTP’s NTC-series compounds minimize occurrence of hot and cold spots and are suitable for high-purity ESD and e-paintable compounds. RTP puts nano-tubes into HIPS, acetal, and other engineering resins. NTC grades are priced 25% to 100% higher than comparable PAN-fiber compounds.

It's no surprise, then, that underlying demand for conductive plastic compounds in North America is forecasted to grow 8-10%/yr from a current base of around 450 million lb.

Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

DuPont is one firm working to broaden plastics’ opportunities in these applications. DuPont has developed a pair of acetal compounds for injection molding. Delrin 300AS and 300AT utilize carbon fiber to provide ESD capability (106 ohm/sq) and enhanced stiffness. Delrin 300AT has twice the toughness of a standard acetal. It is aimed at fuel-tank caps and filler pockets. Delrin 300AS exhibits 300% higher stiffness than standard acetals and is aimed at uses inside the tank—such as a support flange on sender modules (a device that primes the fuel pump). DuPont has also launched nylon 66 ESD grades, some of them glass-filled, and plans to launch ESD versions of its Zytel HTN high-temperature nylon.

While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.

PolyOne’s Stat-Tech slate includes some 20 base resins and spans a range from 1 to 1012 ohm/sq surface resistivity. Some of the less conventional matrices now being used include nitrile-rubber-modified PVC, polysulfone, and various TPEs. PolyOne is exploring use of metalized glass fiber to enhance electrical and thermal conductivity and provide reinforcement.

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.

The preform business unit, formerly known as Preform Technologies Inc. will now be known as PTI Operations. In addition to preforms, PTI Operations will provide recently added, small-run injection molding, blowmolding and thermoforming capabilities. The two entities will work seamlessly with each other to meet brand owner objectives.  PTI and PTI Operations will be supported by sister company Phoenix Technologies Inc., a producer of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET).

For 35 years, PTI has been a plastics packaging development powerhouse. Going forward, the “umbrella” company will be known as PTI Global. Its core package development business which had been known as Plastic Technologies Inc., will now be simply referred to by its acronym, PTI.

Join Wittmann for an engaging webinar on the transformative impact of manufacturing execution systems (MES) in the plastic injection molding industry. Discover how MES enhances production efficiency, quality control and real-time monitoring while also reducing downtime. It will explore the integration of MES with existing systems, emphasizing compliance and traceability for automotive and medical sectors. Learn about the latest advancements in IoT and AI technologies and how they drive innovation and continuous improvement in MES. Agenda: Overview of MES benefits What is MES? Definition, role and brief history Historical perspective and evolution Longevity and analytics Connectivity: importance, standards and integration Advantages of MES: efficiency, real-time data, traceability and cost savings Emerging technologies: IoT and AI in MES

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

“Today, there are more reasons and better tools than ever for making electrically active compounds,” declares Mark Kaptur, product marketing manager for conductive compounds at LNP Engineering Plastics. One reason is more intensive use of electronics in cars, portable consumer devices, and appliances—plus their on-going miniaturization. Both trends increase the need to protect parts from ESD and EMI.

This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

Teknor Apex's Plastics Div. recently launched a family of flexible vinyl compounds designed for consistent ESD and EMI performance. Carbon-black-filled Vidux PVCs offer 100 to 108 ohm-cm volume resistivity in cable jackets, flooring, grounding mats, shielding, and other items used in cleanrooms, hospitals, and factories. At under $2/lb, they are said to be more cost-effective than alternatives based on carbon or steel fibers.

Compounders have long mixed carbon black, carbon fibers, stainless-steel fibers, aluminum flakes, and other additives into thermoplastics to meet needs for antistatic performance, electrostatic dissipation (ESD), and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

“What’s happening now is that brand owners are using multiple internal and external resources to design packages. A significant amount of time is wasted due to multiple hand-offs and because designers are often not knowledgeable about the structural requirements for optimum production. This results in commercialization timelines being missed, a significant amount of money being wasted and lost opportunity,” said Craig Robinson, vice president, business development and innovation, PTI.

Ticona offers conductive PPS grades that utilize an unconventional carbon-based conductive. The novel ingredient is said to offer many of the benefits of nano-tubes at considerably lower cost. This additive and proprietary compounding technique are said to ensure precise “tuneability” of ESD performance. The materials are also described as clean—non-sloughing and low in ionic contamination and outgassing—making them viable for use in liquid-crystal displays, electronic storage media, and microelectronic carrier trays.

Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution

Permastat IDP-based compounds from RTP afford antistatic capability (1010 to 1011 ohm/sq) for business-machine and appliance parts, gears, and video cases. RTP recently introduced PermaStat Plus grades that extend the series' conductivity into the ESD range (“E” versions) or offer enhanced mechanical performance (“M” versions).

EMI protection is another area of major growth potential for conductive plastics in automotive. Stimulating factors are increased use of sensitive electronic gadgetry in cars, a pending shift to 42-volt battery power, and the need to preserve space under the hood, according to David Riffer, electrical-electronics market manager for EMS-Grivory. His company has long put carbon and stainless steel into ESD versions of its nylon 6, 66, and 12 compounds for automotive fuel-line and under-hood applications. Now, the company is moving into nylon EMI-shielding compounds using stainless steel as the conductive ingredient. These are aimed at automotive electronics as well as business-machine housings and coaxial-cable connectors.

Stainless-steel fibers are the key ingredient in the Faradex line of EMI shielding compounds that LNP recently acquired from DSM. They are aimed more at consumer electronics and business machines, namely thin-wall housings for cell phones and computer equipment. Unlike carbon additives, stainless steel does not limit colorability, but the fibers are easily damaged in melt processing. LNP uses a special compounding technique to retain fiber length for good shielding.

Another advance is a novel class of vapor-grown carbon nano-tubes and nano-fibers. These impart a broad range of conductivity to plastics at far lower loadings than conventional carbon-based additives, while simultaneously providing reinforcement and enhanced thermal conductivity. However, the potential of these nano-carbon products is currently limited by their $50/lb or higher price tags. This compares with $15/lb for pitch carbon fiber and stainless steel, $8/lb for PAN carbon fiber, and less than $2/lb for carbon-black powder. Greater near-term potential is seen for a developmental low-cost pitch carbon fiber that boasts improvements in both conductive and reinforcing properties.

Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.