Working in cooperation with the American company Composite Materials L.L.C. (Compmat, Mamaroneck, NY), Owens Corning (Europe: Owens Corning SA, Chaussée de la Hulpe 178, B-1170 Bruxelles) has developed a new conductive composite system which permits cost-efficient shielding against radio and other electromagnetic waves (EMI/RFI). According to the company, the composites, which contain conductive fibres (metal-coated graphite fibres), permit savings of more than 25% in the production of thermoplastic parts in some cases. Development time is considerably reduced, and the conductive composite system also offers the advantage of greater freedom in design. Systems of this type are used in mobile phones, laptops and other electronic equipment which has to be shielded against interference of this type.

The cooperation between the two companies unites “unique technologies”. Compmat, one of the key pioneers in the field of conductive fibres worldwide, has special know-how in the development and marketing of metal-coated graphite fibres. Owens Corning is contributing its many years of experience with composites and its “high-performance marketing network spanning the globe” to the joint project. The cooperation is fully in line with the “system-thinking” strategy that Owens Corning introduced in 1996, which formed the focal point of all its presentations at K ´98 in Düsseldorf. As Heinz-J. Otto, President of Composites Systems Business at Owens Corning, explained to journalists, “system thinking means we can work out specific solutions in cooperation with our customers”. “As our cooperation with Compmat shows, this concept is also helping to enlarge the composites market and to increase the value added in the branch.”

READER SERVICE: Further details on conductive composite systems and on the Owens Corning “system-thinking” strategy (German): PIE-No. 43202 – Techn. information (English), “EMI/RFI Shielding” from Compmat: PIE-No. 43203.