Arkema will present its two product lines dedicated to « nanomaterials » at the Tokyo Nano tech tradeshow:

new masterbatches from its Graphistrength® carbon nanotube product line, and its range of Nanostrength® acrylic block copolymers used to nanostructure within selected polymers and impart improved properties.

Arkema offers new masterbatches based on its carbon nanotubes

Since its initial commitment to producing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 2006, Arkema has worked on the development of a comprehensive range of high added value masterbatches under the trademark Graphistrength® designed to optimise the performances of CNTs in various polymer matrices.

At Nano tech 2010 in Tokyo, Arkema will present a range of innovations within its Graphistrength® range: a universal grade for various thermoplastics, new grades for elastomers, and solid concentrates for liquid epoxy and aqueous solutions.

Arkema ranks among world leaders in multiwall CNTs. Its high performance masterbatches developed for various thermoplastic, elastomer or thermoset polymer matrices help combine outstanding benefits in terms of performance:

- in product manufacture: easy to use, these masterbatches keep the compound manufacturing process straightforward, with no equipment adaptation or investment required from the processor’s viewpoint.

- in the quality of end-products: they ensure excellent dispersion of CNTs in the manufactured product, guaranteeing remarkable end-performances, in particular excellent conductivity and electrostatic dissipation (ESD).

The first universal masterbatch: Graphistrength® CM12-30
Graphistrength® CM12-30 is the only CNT masterbatch on the market with a 30% CNT content suitable for a wide range of thermoplastic matrices: polyamides (6, 6.6, 12), polyesters (PET, PBT), and polycarbonate or polyacetals. For processors manufacturing these various compounds, the application versatility of Graphistrength® CM12-30 makes for an easier manufacturing process.

This new masterbatch can be fully diluted within the thermoplastic matrix, allowing homogeneous dispersion of CNTs. This dispersion helps produce compounds with remarkable electrostatic dissipation (ESD) properties for low CNT concentrations in the finished material.

Arkema will shortly be marketing a grade for polyolefins, ideal for the sheathing of cables or the coating of components for electronics applications requiring ESD properties.

New grades for elastomers
Arkema has developed new masterbatches, Graphistrength® CE1-20, CE2-40 and CE3-35, containing up to 40% CNTs, specifically for elastomer matrices, respectively fluoro-elastomer, nitrile, and silicone. These products can easily be diluted and used in complete safety using standard equipment.

They are used to prepare materials that combine ESD properties with superior mechanical strength for low CNT concentrations, such as elongation at break. This grade is particularly suitable for the manufacture of joints with ESD properties, which are highly sought after in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Two solid concentrates for liquid epoxy and aqueous solutions
Liquid epoxy dispersions are already available on the market that are designed to boost the mechanical strength and the conductivity of epoxy composites. However, one drawback of these dispersions is their low CNT content, of the order of just a few percents, which significantly limits the flexibility of the formulation.

Arkema has therefore developed the first concentrates in the form of solid granules which contain up to 25% CNTs and can be fully dispersed in liquid epoxy and aqueous solutions. These concentrates are ideal for use both in composites and in adhesives, ink or paint.

Nanostrength®, a unique range of nanostructuring acrylic block copolymers

In the ever-expanding field of nanotechnology, nanoscale morphology control has been demonstrated as a useful approach to impart beneficial property combinations within composite materials. However, many new technologies have yet to significantly materialise industrially due to economical or process constraints.

To fill this gap, Arkema has developed an innovative solution based upon acrylic block copolymers under the trademark Nanostrength®.

Nanostrength®, when added to select thermoplastic or thermoset matrices can self-assemble on a nanometer length scale bringing unique properties to the final composite material such as, superior mechanical strength or hydrophilicity without losing any of the important properties inherent to the matrix material (e.g., glass transition temperature, transparency, chemical resistance, etc). Arkema is currently the world’s leading chemicals producer to market such a product range, which it is steadily expanding.

Three Nanostrength® product ranges are available:
- MMA copolymers containing two polymethylmethacrylate endblocks and a polybutylacrylate central block
- MMA copolymers containing functional groups in either the central block and/or external blocks
- Polystyrene, polybutadiene and polymethylmethacrylate (SBM) block copolymers.

Nanostrength® block copolymers are made up of two or more covalently linked and chemically distinct segments , which inherently self-assemble or “nanostructure” at the molecular level. This phenomenon is due to the covalent linkage between the two dissimilar blocks, which typically strongly repel one another. The thermodynamic driving force behind this organization leads to highly reproducible and accurate ordering. Nanostrength can be readily blended with (and nanostructure within) homopolymers, blends or solutions as long as one block segment is miscible with the matrix material. The resulting reproducible structuration leads to unique and tailored end-use property enhancements.

Four representative examples of Nanostrength benefits follow:
• Adhesives
Key properties: superior adhesion, simple formulations, excellent green strength
• Rigid thermoplastic materials
Key properties: reinforcement, compatibilisation, transparency, etc.
• Flexible thermoplastic materials and rubber
Key properties: compatibilisation, superior rheology, etc.
• Thermoset materials
Key properties: superior resistance to crack propagation, simple processing, etc.