Carbon nanostructure enhanced reinforcements in electromagnetic compatibility applications

Carbon enhanced reinforcements (CER) for multifunctional composite design were recently developed using technology where carbon nanostructures (CNS) are synthesized on the surface of glass fibers in a continuous, in-line, production scalable process. The hybrid reinforcement results in a highly conductive multifunctional capability in thermoset and thermoplastic resins that enables excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance. This paper discusses the development and industrialization of the carbon nanostructure-glass fiber hybrid pelletized in thermoplastic masterbatches of polycarbonate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS), polyamide-6,6 (PA-6,6), polycarbonate (PC), and polypropylene (PP). It reviews the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of the compounds for engineered solutions in injection molded electromagnetic compatability (EMC) applications.