%0 Journal Article
%T Processing and Properties of Carbon Nanotube PVC Composites
%A Kristin Trommer
%A Carina Petzold
%A Bernd Morgenstern
%J Journal of Applied Chemistry
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/307274
%X Commercially available multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were incorporated in coating masses based on PVC by means of three roll mill. The best results could be obtained using the 5£¿¦̀m gap. Thin PVC sheets were formed via knife coating having an electrical conductivity up to 1,500£¿S/m that are applicable as electric heating elements. For the use in the antistatic range, CNT contents ¡Ü0.5% are sufficient. Rheological measurements indicate the quality of particle processing. AFM investigations are suitable to investigate the alignment of the nanoparticles in the bulk polymer. Using this method, the decrease of agglomerates as well as the splitting of CNT bundles within further mass processing could be visualized. 1. Introduction Sheets and coatings made of plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-P) are currently applied to a variety of products for various utilizations. In 2010, PVC-P was set to the top of the total production of coated fabrics with a share rate of 48%. This corresponds to approximately 200¨C230£¿million£¿m2. Among them there are more than 25% canvas materials; 10% to 15% are products of textile architecture (roof sheeting and waterproofs), advertising goods (banners and billboards), and also tents as well as marquees and sun screens. Further important applications include conveyor belts, floor coverings, inflatable items, and artificial leather for the automotive industry or upholstery in public spaces. Because of the various purposes, the requirements concerning the materials¡¯ properties are very different. Depending on the exact field of application, the coated materials are required to have a variety of special properties. These include, for instance, cut and abrasion resistance, flame retardant, heat protection, antistatic or electrical conductivity, and resistances to soiling, dust, gas, UV-radiation, or chemicals. In order to generate such properties, the polymer matrix is provided with additive compounds in liquid or particle form. Prior art is the use of filler materials with particle sizes in the micrometer range. Such particles enable the setting of the desired function. At the same time, they also change polymeric properties such as high mechanical performance (tensile strength, elongation at break, and cold flexibility), ageing, or migration. The use of additive compounds with a particle size distribution in the micrometer range of approximately 20£¿¦̀m especially restricts a thin layer development. Because of the particle sizes, defect-free layers with thicknesses below 60£¿¦̀m are hardly feasible. However, often the desired
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jac/2014/307274/