Thermoplastics compounder RTP (Winona, Minnesota / USA; www.rtpcompany.com) has introduced a series of conductive masterbatches that it has designed to mitigate electrostatic discharge. The “CCX” masterbatches are available in a variety of resin systems and can be formulated with four additive technologies, namely stainless steel fibre, carbon nanotubes, carbon black and RTP’s “PermaStat” dissipative polymer technology. Each technology provides different benefits depending on an application’s specific needs.

Stainless steel fibre CCX masterbatches give the highest level of conductivity and provide shielding from electromagnetic interference. They are designed to be used in sensitive electronics, coloured parts and components, including applications that are compliant with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; www.fda.gov) requirements. RTP said these masterbatches have similar shrinkage and mechanical performance to the unfilled base resin, making them suited to injection moulding and compatible with existing moulds and tooling.

The carbon nanotube CCX masterbatches can be used in high-purity applications, also with virtually no impact on shrinkage or mechanical properties versus the unfilled base resin. Meanwhile, the carbon black CCX additive has similar isotropic shrinkage, strength and stiffness to the unfilled base resin but are an economical way to introduce versatile, high-performance conductivity for plastic parts, RTP noted.

Finally, PermaStat CCX masterbatches have been formulated for uses where permanent antistatic or static dissipative performance is required. They provide uniform dissipative performance, full colourability and transparency in some resins, while retaining or enhancing the base resin’s impact performance, RTP said. The company added that these masterbatches are compatible with injection moulding or extrusion equipment, requiring minimal adjustments when integrated into existing processes.

The PermaStat range is also suited to intrinsic safety applications, meeting the surface resistance requirements of the European ATEX directive, which covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.