TUBALL™ nanotubes improve physical and mechanical properties of rubbers, provide the required electrical conductivity and retain colors.

TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes are applied via the easy-to-use additive TUBALL™ MATRIX, which is a line of concentrates based on polymer and plasticizer carriers and pre-dispersed TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes.

TUBALL™ MATRIX for EPDM

Material	EPDM
Carrier Media	Polymer, Severely refined paraffinic mineral oils
Product

TUBALL graphene nanotubes: Good performance on all key parameters

In contrast to other conductive agents, TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes are a versatile conductive agent offering good performance on all key parameters.

Parameter	Conductive carbon black*	Conductive polymers**	MWCNTs (masterbatch)	TUBALL™ MATRIX
Working dosage	5–7 wt.%	10–15 wt.%	15 wt.% (3–5% active content)	3–4 wt.%
Resistance requirement (volume resistivity)	10⁶–10⁸ Ω·cm
Resistance achieved (volume resistivity)	10⁶–10⁹ Ω·cm	10⁸–10¹² Ω·cm	10⁶–10⁸ Ω·cm	10⁶–10⁸ Ω·cm
Black dots on surface	only black available	none	only black available	none
Available color range	none	wide	none	wide
Resistance remains stable after abrasion on surface	yes	none	yes	yes
Influence on mechanical performance	negative	strong negative	negative	positive
Dust formation during production	yes	none	Yes (but none in the case of a masterbatch)	none
‘Hot spots’ (resistance varies on surface)	yes	possible	possible	none
Stable resistance over time	yes	no	yes	yes
Longer life cycle of compound and moulded parts	no	no	no	yes
Carbon release on surface	yes	none	none	none
Cost of anti-static property	low	low	cost-effective	cost-effective

* Carbon black cannot be used for colored applications and those that have limits on carbon release (i.e. non-marking).
** Conductive polymers cannot meet industry requirements because the volume resistivity is only temporary, the carrier can migrate to the surface, and there strong negative effects on mechanical propertiess.

Key benefit 1: Stable electrical conductivity without carbon release to surface

TUBALL™ nanotubes provide a permanent and stable level of electrical conductivity for various types of EPDM.

When using carbon black, because of the high concentration required (10% or more) and the spherical shape of the particles, a phenomenon known in the industry as “carbon release” takes place, where the conductive additive is present on the surface of the sample.

In contrast, graphene nanotubes, owing to their greater length-to-diameter ratio, are not released to the surface.

Key benefit 2: Imroved mechanical properties

The extra-low dosage of TUBALL™ required in silica-based EPDM formulations allows the desired anti-static properties as well as improvements in tear strength and tensile performance to be achieved without degradation of elastic properties and hardness.