The recently developed concentrated graphene nanopipe (single-walled carbon nanotube) formulation for powder coatings has expanded the nanopipe product line to all types of epoxy resin formulations.
0.2% by weight of nano tube concentrate achieves a surface resistivity of 106 Ω/sq, while maintaining the color, surface quality, rheology, and mechanical properties of the epoxy resin.
In the past few months, several powder coating solution suppliers from Asia and Europe have launched new products featuring graphene nanotubes.
These manufacturers are able to reduce the loading rate of carbon black, which is used as a conductive additive in their standard formulations, by more than 20 times, for use in electronic devices and flammable materials pipelines.
0.2% of TUBALL MATRIX 815 or 821 concentrate, produced by OCSiAl, is an industrially friendly graphene nanotube with a permanent and stable resistivity of 106 Ω/sq, without any "hot spots" due to insulation, and allows for a wide range of colors due to its ultra-low loading rate.
"Until recently, incorporating nanomaterials into powdered materials has been a challenge, while this has never been the case with liquid epoxy resin systems. Even very low loadings of graphene nanotubes are sufficient to create a dense conductive network, ensuring the protection of so-called "hot spots" or insulating areas," said Zakhar Bolshakov, Vice President of Polymers at OCSiAl.
Epoxy coating manufacturers have noted that graphene nanotubes, due to their unique morphology and low loading rate, can maintain the original mechanical and rheological properties of the compounds.
When using standard conductive additives (such as carbon black or carbon fiber), parameters and the final product's color are often compromised. These additives require higher loading levels to achieve the same resistivity.
In certain specific applications, nanomaterials can reduce costs for coating manufacturers or end-users.
For example, ESD flooring installers can reduce coating thickness and the amount of epoxy resin used, while tank lining manufacturers can reduce the number and duration of visual inspections required for conductive coatings.
"Currently, almost all epoxy coating systems are completely covered with graphene nano-tube solutions. Bolshakov states: "By introducing easily processable nano-tube concentrates for large-scale paint production, using standard industrial equipment and unchanged formulations, this significantly promotes the widespread adoption of nano-tubes."
Graphene nanotubes are used in the production of high-performance epoxy coatings for applications in aerospace, transportation, oil and natural gas, construction, electronics, and green technology industries.