Application | CNTs Hl New work carried out at Nanocyl shows that conductive compounds containing MWCNTs can be more cost effective than use of conductive primers for painting plastic car body parts. Dr Marie Hurtgen and Michaél Claes explain why CNTs spell the finish for primer Electrostatic painting is commonly used inthe automotive industry to minimise paint waste. Well ulted to use with metalic pares, which can be easily ‘grounded, many millions of ausomotve ‘exterior parts today ere made of electrealy- insulating plastics. Aniewing the necessary {rounding with non-conducting polymers ‘means the application of conductive primer, which adds cost. The incarparation of alecrcally conductive adds such a rultiswalleg carbon nanotubes IMWCNTs] into tre polymer prowdes an alternative ‘option ‘ver th past 20 years, 2 numberof plastic body parts have been produced in serial production based on CNT tecnnaogy. Today, onal pane inclusing body panels, Bimpers, wind defectors, rmirorsand fel filer Raps, are under evaluation or ‘ualitcstion in the industry. The ever fr this growing inveret is the signticant fallin CNT prices as a result of ‘economies of scale and expanded production capacities ‘Thisaricle datas the latest work carved out ay Nenocyl Ithe Balgiam-based producer af MNCNTS] te determine the performance and cost savings for automotive producers in adopting TPOs and ABS/PC blends ‘containing is NC7CO0 MENTS for applications such a bumpers ang taigate skins for parts using CNTS, amounts of NC7000(1.0-1.§ wl are sullicient to alow dissipation of the electrostatic charges and ensure high tcanefarafficency Conductive primers generally impart a surface resistance of 10'10'ehm/sg, NC7O0O-based plastics provide n-saec transer efficiencies even witha surface Fesistance as high as 10” onm/sq, provided there is some electrical conduetiiy in the bulk af the materia. Main image: Falling prices and improved cessing expertise mean Conductive primers ensure high paint transfer Both polymers contsning NC7ONO exhibited & nor~ conductive ficiency ono plastic paris (defined asthe amountaf __malised TE of moze than 80% compared to plastics primers for paint applied tothe substrate compared tothe lois! coated witha conductive primer, which ensures ‘automative ‘amount of paint sprayed towaras itl Thiswark com- minimal panting cast. Figure 1p shows the generat parts pares the transfer elficiences of plastics coated with a Iypical eandetive primer and lastes eantaning NC7G0O. The amount of NC7G00 inthe ABSIPC and TFO formulations was optimised to ge similar varster ‘eticiencis asthe conductive primer. Figure ta shows the transtoretficiency ITE] a paste/NC7000 come pounds [normalised to that ofthe reference plastic with conductive primerl as a function of CNT wis, Low wv compeundingwarta.com relationship between transtereficiency and Volatile Drganic Compounds IOC] emissions and rated cost of Aisposal of waste. VOC emissions and related costs ean be seen to be lees sensitive to changes in transfer etficieneies atthe later approaches 100% In adsition to translerelfiiency, paint appearance and adhesion are of critical imporance in autemetive fexterar applications, Colour was evaluates by measur September 2016 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 63HM CNTs | Application ¥ z i z 2 transfer efficiency (6) Figure a: Paint transfer eff 3 = aKs/Pc —s—1P0 ‘campunds containing NC7000 MWCNTS, nermalisd to ABS/PC or TPO Pen nen eran eee ing the arb" parameters CIE LAB) at ailferent measurement angles (as required for metallic colours} ‘compared te the relerance conductive primer samples, 2° and b* parameters leoler channel were almst unaffected, an lightness [L*] remained within the ‘typical tolerance forall messuremant angles. Other parameters auch as gloss, shart waves and long waves which are related to surface quality wore aleo within specificatio Paint adhesion was evaluated using cross cut and high pressure waterjet tests according fo Volkswagen standards land shown in Figure 2). Allthe MWCNT =con= taining samples passed the tests, a5 did the primer Felerences, The stone-chip impoet test wos also found to be postive, The adhesion tats fhich were performed 1 similar reference samples Figure 2: Selected adhesion tests on nan-aged samples [VW spectcation} show the diferent conductive substrates pass the three main tests. The area fr the stone chip impact testis smaller than 5.5% (66 COMPOUNDING WORLD | September 2016 20 40 ‘Transfer efficiency (%) 60 eer ere ne eee belore and ater ageingl showed tnat pant adhesion is {determined ay the combination of base resin, paint an, wen applicasle laming conditans: the presence of C7000 MICNTS had no detectable iftuenes. 1NC7000-containing plastics can be used with conventional injection moulding equipment. Critica ‘mechanical properties lensile strength, thermal expar sion, mould shrinkage, heat deflection temperature, impact strength) ang comaound density are either not 0- are minimally allected ay the MVCNTS. Counting the cost Aside from technical performance, costs a ertcal component in material selection, Taday, unlike fenders, ‘many exterior parte are based on lower cost resins such 15 PP-impact or ABS. These currenty mainiy use a con= ductive primer before application a an electrostatic base coat ang clear coat asthe glbal addtional cost of ‘a MWCNT solution was considered too great, However, the higher cost of NC7G0O-based materials can be compensated for by ether benelts primer cast savings ‘limination of primer spraying basthfoven and associe ated drying energy ane VOC emissions; and simplified Grounding bucks and painting sequences (00 need to art painting near grounding cil. Conductive INCTON0 compounds can also rasultin fewer rejects due te improved paint wrap at corners and edges (conduc tie primers can cause conductvty gradients and lead to oeal paint accumulation at edges! The value of any ofthese benefits ina particular project will vary depending on the paint-shop af the Automotive Ter 1, including whether is using soivent or waterborne pain, the age ol the equipment ane other factors. This variation is represented by standard ‘wen compoundingword.cam