Inherently Conductly Polymer Compounds

RTP Company, a global leader in specialty compounding, is the first company in the world to commercially supply thermoplastic specialty compounds containing Inherently Conducting Polymers (ICP's). These all-polymeric compounds maintain the properties of the host polymer, achieving electrical conductivity with little effect on shrink rate, specific gravity, and other mechanical properties.

Traditional static dissipative materials utilize conductive additives such as carbon black, carbon fibers, and metal particles. With these additives, it is difficult to provide a reproducible surface resistivity in the optimal ESD range of 106-109 ohms/sq. The compounds are either too conductive or not conductive enough, since the insulator to conductor transition occurs over a very narrow range of additive concentration.

RTP Company has developed innovative ICP compounds in polyethylene and polypropylene (with future developments in styrenics) that are tunable from 105 to 1010 ohms/sq-parameters that include the optimum range for ESD protection. Compared to materials with carbon black, ICP compounds are non-sloughing and offer improved electrical, mechanical, and flow properties. They are colorable in approximately six standard colors.

The compounds (available for injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding) have been approved for manufacturing and distribution throughout Europe and the United States.

RTP Company, 580 East Front Street, P.O. Box 439. Tel: 507-454-6900; Fax: 507-454-2041.