Technology

Designing for Electromagnetics and Electrical Conductivity

In any multi-phase structure, materials with different properties are combined. These can be dispersed and homogenized volumes (such as mixing particles into a volume), laminated and/or infused structures (such as classical composites), or even simple two phase structures (such as paint on a surface). Our technologies offer the materials and methods to engineer and control the electrical conductivity and electromagnetic behavior of these materials and structures to previously unavailable levels. Thus, the electrical and EMI properties of structures may also engineered to a desired level.

How Nanostrands are Used

This nanostrand lattice can be used to incorporate the properties of a nanostructured filamentary metal into a variety of materials systems. Typical high performance applications include conductivity and electromagnetic shielding, where nanostrands have been shown to have many times the performance value of other nanomaterials. Other applications may take advantage of the chemical or metallurgical properties of nanostrands. Nanostrands may be incorporated in one of two ways. The most common method is to mix nanostrands into a matrix material, such as a polymer. Alternatively, the nanostrand lattice may be formed or compressed to a predetermined density and shape after which the matrix material is infused into the nanostrand preform.

Chemical Vapor Deposition Coatings

CVD coatings have unique advantages over other coatings methods. Nickel CVD coatings provide superior uniformity and ductility, allowing highly engineered electromagnetic structures with uncompromised handling properties. CVD coatings are thermodynamically driven, and thus are capable of uniformly coating a wide variety of substrates and geometries. For example, carbon and polymer fibers may both be coated. Coatings may also be applied to fibers in town form, or in woven fabric form. Coatings may even be applied to non-woven forms, or any other geometry. Excellent volumetric distribution and penetration ensure that these coatings are even and continuous on every surface of the substrate.

Applications

Recent advances in the process of growing nanostrands has lead to the ability to demonstrate their usefulness in a wide variety of applications. Nanostrands have already proven their usefulness in technologies such as:
  • Electrical Conductivity
  • Electromagnetic Shielding (EMI)
  • Lightning Strike Protection
  • Conductive Adhesives
  • Conductive Paint
  • Catalysis
  • Energy Storage
  • Chemistry
  • Conductive Elastomers
  • Conductive Composites
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
  • Magnetic Alignment
  • Filtering
  • Metallurgy
  • Oxides
  • High Temperature Applications

Materials

  • Nanostrands Nanostrands are highly branched, three dimensional nanostructures that offer the ultimate balance of conductivity, electromagnetic shielding, and mechanical properties. Nanostrands can be used as a high performance additive or as a stand alone material...Read More

  • Nickel Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Coated Fibers There are a wide range of nickel coatings available (20-65 weight percent). CVD Coated Fibers offer uniform resistivity throughout length of the entire spool and continuous in-line resistivity data. Every filament in the tow is uniformly coated. Coating substrates included carbon fiber, aramid, and glass fiber. CVD Coated Fibers have higher tensile strength retention, increased damping properties and engineered thermal properties. Read More

  • Nickel CVD Coated Nonwovens Ultra light weight, high conductivity, and highly effective broadband shielding. Highest specific shielding performance of any composite solution. Manufactured in a continuous process. CVD coating is uninterrupted and uniform over every external surface, including binders. May be stacked or combined in multiple layers. Coating substrates included carbon fiber, aramid, glass, and carbon nanomaterials. Significant cost savings over competing technologies.Read More

  • System Solutions Integrated products that fully utilize the advantageous properties of our unique materials, including: paints, sealants, adhesives, resins, prepregs, coating systems, inks, and more. Read More

Did You Know?

Electrical Conductivity
Only a small volume fraction of Nanostrands are required to impart conductivity in a wide variety of matrix materials. Many polymers have been rendered conductive, including thermosets, thermoplastics, paints, elastomers and adhesives. By mixing nanostrands into a matrix, volume resistivities as low as 0.001 ohm-cm have been achieved, at less than 20% loading. However, if the matrix is added to the compressed nanostrand preform, then a volume resistivity of .0002 ohm-cm can be achieved at about 20% loading. This is a remarkable amount of conductivity for a material that is still over 80% matrix. Surface resistivities as low as 0.050 ohm-per-square have been achieved for sprayed nanostrand polymer mixtures on non-conductive substrates, and as low as 0.010 on carbon fiber substrates. When mixing nanostrands into a resin, the conductivity is also affected by the diameter, length, aspect ratio and orientation of the nanostrands.
Mixing Methods
Nanostrands are unique from other nanomaterials in that it does not take much energy to disperse them into most resins. In fact, too much energy will shear the strands apart, and reduce them to particulate powder. Low shear and low viscosity methods have shown the most success for dispersing nanostrands. Low volume and low loading applications have been successful with very simple dispersion methods, while larger volume or more highly loaded systems have been very successful with centrifugal dispersion tools.