NORMAN, OK -- SouthWest NanoTechnologies (SWeNT), a developer and manufacturer of single-wall carbon nanotube materials, has introduced a new category of carbon nanotube (CNT) materials, referred to as specialty multi-wall (SMW).

 

These new SWeNT® SMW 100 materials were developed for polymer composites that require better electrical and mechanical performance than are possible from conventional multi-wall CNT, without the cost or dispersion difficulties associated with single-wall CNT. Target applications for SMW materials include conductive polymers, reinforced elastomers and “bucky paper” materials for structural composite manufacturing.

 

“SWeNT’s new specialty multi-wall category fills the space between SWCNT and conventional multi-wall CNT,” said Rick Jansen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for SouthWest Nano. “Traditional multi-wall CNT products are typically used as a conductive additive for thermoplastic polymers, enabling molded plastic parts to be sufficiently electrically conductive and provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. However, this electrical conductivity benefit often results in mechanical properties being compromised compared with the unfilled polymer. SMW can reduce or eliminate this compromise at a fraction of the cost of single-wall CNT.”

 

CEO Dave Arthur added, “Our first SMW offering, SWeNT SMW 100, opens up several new market opportunities for us. Previously, SWeNT has mainly focused on coatings applications. With SMW 100, we can now provide an affordable alternative to single-wall CNT for bulk applications like polymer composites. The improved performance of SMW 100 compared with traditional multi-wall CNT is due to the structure of the tubes: fewer walls and smaller diameter than traditional multi-wall CNT. The result is less “wasted” carbon, since only the outer walls contribute to conductivity, and less breakage of tubes during compounding, since the tubes have fewer defects and exhibit greater flexibility.”

 

SWeNT SMW 100 materials are produced in SWeNT’s new manufacturing plant in Norman, OK, using the same CoMoCAT® process platform that has allowed SWeNT to manufacture single-wall CNTs. For more information on the new SMW 100, visit www.swentnano.com.