Hyperion Catalysis International

Automotive Applications

FIBRIL nanotubes are used to make statically dissipative plastic compounds that are molded into a variety of automotive parts where toughness and "Class A" surface are important.

External body parts (i.e.. fenders, door handles, mirror housings) that are electrostatically painted. FIBRIL nanotubes are a key component of resins that are designed for on-line painting of plastic body panels.

Fuel system components (i.e.. fuel lines, quick connects, O-rings, filter housings, pump modules) that contact moving fuel and thus must be electrostatically dissipative to prevent charge build-up.

FIBRIL Nanotubes Offer Unique Performance Advantages for Automotive Applications.

Greater retention of the base resin’s toughness (without the use of impact modifiers). Retention of base resin toughness is critical in many automotive applications where parts such as fenders and fuel lines must not exhibit brittle failure in an accident, especially at low temperature. The low loading of FIBRIL nanotubes needed to give ESD conductivity ensures that the base resin properties are minimally affected. Eliminating the need for impact modifiers preserves the high heat resistance that is needed for resins that are used in on-line painted body panels.

Retention of other key resin properties – again, the low loading of FIBRIL nanotubes needed to give ESD conductivity ensures the preservation of important resin properties such as durometer softness in elastomers, or chemical resistance in polymers used in fuel systems

Class A smoothness of an as-molded part – the small size of FIBRIL nantubes ensures that an external body part can be directly painted right out of the mold without the use of either a conductive primer or a surfacing primer.

Minimal increase in base resin viscosity – the low nanotube loading means that the final compound will have a melt flow very similar to the base resin. This is important in filling large, long-flow parts like a fender or small, tight-tolerance parts like a quick connect. It is also important in co-extrusion of high barrier fuel lines, where the inner layer must be static dissipative.

Uniform electrical conductivity throughout the part and balanced shrink/thermal expansion coefficients – the small size and curvilinear shape of the nanotubes ensures a complete and random distribution throughout the part.