Anti-static additive for conductive polyurethane with maintained durability and color


TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes are a high-performance and cost-efficient anti-static agent for polyurethane compounds that are able to target a specific level of resistivity, provide stable and permanent anti-static properties, and preserve the mechanical performance of the original compound.

Anti-static agents: traditional vs TUBALL™

Note. This diagram provides average trends compared with other additives based on OCSiAl data. Product performance may vary depending on product type and formulation.

Graphene nanotubes (also known as single wall carbon nanotubes) demonstrate a number of advantages in comparison with standard anti-static additives. In contrast to carbon black, graphene nanotubes enable conductivity in polyurethane along with preserving hardness and tensile strength. The advantage of nanotubes over ammonium salts is in their permanent electrical conductivity in thermoset compounds.

The overall benefits of graphene nanotubes as an anti-static agent for polyurethane systems are:

  • Specific level of conductivity can be targeted
  • Stable, permanent resistivity guaranteed
  • Beneficial mechanical properties of the original PU compound are preserved 
  • Cost efficiency with the best price-per-property in comparison with analogs

TUBALL™ MATRIX meets key technical requirements

Parameter Ammonium compounds Carbon black TUBALL™ MATRIX
Working dosage, wt.% 0.2–4 4–12 0.1–0.5
Resistivity range, Ω/sq 108–1011 105–1011 104–1011

Influence on mechanical performance

small negative strong negative none
Influence on rheology none strong negative acceptable
Color opportunity possible none possible
Application via spray technology possible challenging possible
Dust formation during production none high none
Resistivity independent of humidity no yes yes
Stable resistivity over time no yes yes

Results for optimized formulation based on OCSiAl data.

The TUBALL™ MATRIX line of concentrates was developed for easy adoption of nanotubes into standard technological process and integration into the original formulation of polyurethane compounds. It consists of black flakes with a paste-like texture and can be diluted into resin using a high-speed mixer, a bead mill or a three-roll mill depending on product type. Nanotube-based suspensions are liquid and can be easily diluted by a stirrer.

OCSiAl has developed various nanotube solutions for hot cast, solvent-free, solvent-based, water-based or latex polyurethane systems. Concentrates and suspensions can be applied to rigid, flexible, foam, or any other type of PU. Polyurethane products enhanced with graphene nanotubes meet the growing demand in agriculture, electronics manufacturing, mining, textile and packaging, oil and gas. 

To select the most effective solution, please check more details on products by clicking on a product card below, or contact us for any assistance.   

TUBALL™ thermoset polyurethane product line by the target system

Target system Concentrates Suspensions
TUBALL™ MATRIX 202 TUBALL™ MATRIX 209  TUBALL™ MATRIX 203/208 1 TUBALL™ MATRIX 205 TUBALL™ MATRIX 301 TUBALL™ MATRIX 302 TUBALL™ COAT_E H2O (with SDBS) TUBALL™ COAT_E (solvents-based) 2 TUBALL™ LATEX
Hot cast PU (elastomers)
PU solvent-free
PU solvent-based3
PU water-based
PU Latex
Other PU (rigid or flexible PU foam, etc.) Information on request

— Recommended — Possible

1 TUBALL™ MATRIX 203 and 208 were designed for the same systems and applications. The products have different HSE restrictions depending on local regulations.
2 Contact OCSiAl representatives
3 For 0.1–0.5% TUBALL™ MATRIX, a solvent is limited to working dosages 20–40 wt.%. For other cases, contact OCSiAl representatives.



Related videos

Anti-static Polyurethane: Overview of the production and the product niche with an OCSiAl expert

Add anti-static to polyurethane: industrial case with graphene nanotubes


Contact us to discuss your project specifications or to request a TUBALL™ MATRIX sample