Electrical properties talc reinforcement

Firebrake ZB 415 with Dechlorane Plus gives flame-retardant properties superior to those of antimony oxide alone. Grade ZB 500 makes it possible to suppress fumes from fluoropolymers, and gives good flame-retardant properties to poly(ether ketone)s and polyfether sulphone)s. Other key applications are talc-reinforced PP replacing PVC. ABS, and PA 66 in electrical/electronic applications, and EVC cable compounds. 

Particulate fillers are divided into two types, inert fillers and reinforcing fillers. The term inert filler is something of a misnomer as many properties may be affected by incorporation of such a filler. For example, in a plasticised PVC compound the addition of an inert filler will reduce die swell on extrusion, increase modulus and hardness, may provide a white base for colouring, improve electrical insulation properties and reduce tackiness. Inert fillers will also usually substantially reduce the cost of the compound. Amongst the fillers used are calcium carbonates, china clay, talc, and barium sulphate. For normal uses such fillers should be quite insoluble in any liquids with which the polymer compound is liable to come into contact. 

Fillers may be divided into particulate and fibrous types. Particulates include calcium carbonate, china clay, talc and barium sulphate. Fillers affect shrinkage on moulding and the dimensional stability of the finished plastic, increase tensile strength and hardness, enhance electrical insulation properties and reduce tackiness. They also impart opacity and colour (Figure 3.16). Carbon black is now the most widely used filler for polymers usually in the form of furnace carbon black, which has a particle diameter of 0.08 mm. Fibrous fillers reinforce polymers and greatly increase their tensile strengths. They include fibres of glass, textile and carbon. Plastics filled with fibrous fillers are known as composites. 

Aramid pulp is widely used as a substitute for asbestos. The aramid paper is used as insulating paper. In this case, mica, ground quartz, glass fibers, alumina, or talc, can be incorporated to improve the insulating properties. In contrast, if alumina laminae, carbon black, or stainless steel short fibers are incorporated, electrical conductive papers are obtained. Aramid paper is also used as a reinforcing agent in honeycombs. 

Carbon fiber-reinforced PAs may be used for conductive and electrical shielding applications where high mechanical properties are also required, and for applications requiring a measure of internal lubrication, slip and good wear-resistance. Mineral-reinforced PA (with talc or mica) offers very good dimensional stability, and low shrinkage and warpage. 

It is common practice to add fillers, such as talc or glass fibers, to a thermoplastic matrix to achieve cost reduction and mechanical reinforcement, as well as to enhance various properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and dimensional stability. Large amoimts of conventional micron-size fillers are typically required in these formulations, which results in deterioration of processability and surface appearance. 

More recently nanoscale fillers such as clay platelets, silica, nano-calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and carbon nanotube nanoparticles have been used extensively to achieve reinforcement, improve barrier properties, flame retardancy and thermal stability, as well as synthesize electrically conductive composites. In contrast to micron-size fillers, the desired effects can be usually achieved through addihon of very small amounts (a few weight percent) of nanofillers [4]. For example, it has been reported that the addition of 5 wt% of nanoclays to a thermoplastic matrix provides the same degree of reinforcement as 20 wt% of talc [5]. The dispersion and/or exfoliahon of nanofillers have been identified as a critical factor in order to reach optimum performance. Techniques such as filler modification and matrix functionalization have been employed to facilitate the breakup of filler agglomerates and to improve their interactions with the polymeric matrix. 

Many mechanical, electrical, thermal, and other properties, such as thermal stability, of plastics can be considerably improved by the incorporation of reinforcing agents, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, and many more fillers, such as talc and clay in their formulation. 

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