Polyphenylene Ether Resin Composition Conductivity Balance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Polyphenylene ether resins face challenges with poor chemical resistance and workability, while polyamide resins have limited heat and impact resistance, and achieving sufficient electrical conductivity with conductive additives often compromises mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

A polyphenylene-ether-based thermoplastic resin composition combining 5-95 wt% polyphenylene-ether resin with 5-95 wt% polyamide resin, 1-30 parts by weight styrene-based copolymer resin, 0.1-10 parts by weight conductive additives (carbon nanotubes, carbon black, or metal powder), and 30-50 parts by weight mica, which balances impact strength, hardness, conductivity, and creep resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductive additive is added at less than 10 wt% of resin, then electrical conductivity can be achieved, but sufficient electrical conductivity may not be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidconductive additive content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite conductive filling system combining carbon black and metal powder in specific proportions (carbon black: 5-20 parts, metal powder: 5-20 parts per 100 parts resin). This composite approach creates synergistic effects where the combination of two different conductive materials achieves superior electrical conductivity and mechanical property balance compared to using a single conductive additive, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient conductivity and minimizing additive content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a large amount of conductive additive is added, then electrical conductivity is ensured, but basic mechanical properties such as impact resistance are remarkably decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameters of the conductive additives, using carbon black with particle diameter of 0.01-10 μm and metal powder with particle diameter of 0.1-100 μm. By controlling and changing these physical parameters, the patent achieves efficient conductivity network formation at lower concentrations while maintaining mechanical integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between conductivity and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite filling system of carbon black and metal powder works synergistically to maintain mechanical properties. The carbon black provides fine network coverage for conductivity while metal powder reinforces the structure, allowing the composition to achieve both good electrical conductivity and maintained impact resistance without relying on high concentrations of a single additive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If carbon nanotubes are used as conductive additive, then electrical conductivity can be imparted, but poor dispersion makes it hard to obtain conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoiddispersion uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a surface treatment agent or dispersant as an intermediary substance that facilitates the uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the resin matrix. This intermediary agent modifies the surface properties of carbon nanotubes or the resin interface, enabling better compatibility and distribution, thus resolving the dispersion issue that prevents conductivity achievement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If carbon nanotubes and inorganic filler are used together, then conductivity can be enhanced, but impact strength and conductivity may be decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidimpact strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the particle size and concentration parameters of both carbon nanotubes and inorganic fillers to prevent negative synergistic effects. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves the desired conductivity enhancement while minimizing the detrimental impact on impact strength, resolving the contradiction between conductivity enhancement and mechanical property maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves an excellent balance of impact strength, hardness, conductivity, and creep resistance, suitable for applications like automobile parts, enhancing mechanical and electrical properties without compromising heat resistance.

Implementation Method 1

0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a conductive additive based on 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin and the conductive additives comprises carbon nanotubes, carbon black, carbon fiber, metal powder, or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

1 to 30 parts by weight of a styrene-based copolymer resin based on 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymer chain arrangement:

Implementation Method 3

30 to 50 parts by weight of mica based on 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLayered silicate structure:

Data Source

PatentEP2267078B2Polyphenylene ether thermoplastic resin composition, and molded product using the same
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 LOTTE CHEM CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are a polyphenylene-ether-based thermoplastic resin composition that includes: (A) a mixed resin of (A-1) a polyphenylene-ether-based resin and (A-2) a polyamide resin; (B) a styrene-based copolymer resin; (C) a conductive additive; and (D) mica, and a molded product using the same.