Most innovative raw material for composite applications

JEC Group has named OCSiAl’s TUBALL MATRIX, the first-ever single wall carbon nanotube-based pre-dispersed concentrate, as the most innovative raw material for composite applications. It can be applied both as a reinforcing and as a conductive additive, enabling manufacturers to develop the next generation of high-performance conductive, strong and lightweight composites.

JEC Group has awarded 12 innovative companies during the JEC Asia 2017 show, held on November 1-3 in Seoul, South Korea. The winner in the Raw Materials category is OCSiAl, the world leader in manufacturing single wall carbon nanotubes, for their product TUBALL MATRIX, the first-ever industrial concentrate based on this novel additive.

OCSiAl’s TUBALL nanotubes are the first single wall carbon nanotubes to be available for commercial applications in a wide range of industries. The pre-eminence of TUBALL compared with conventional additives is related to their superior conductivity to weight ratio, their high temperature resistance, and their strength and flexibility. It gains traction starting from just 0.01 per cent of the total compound weight.

“TUBALL MATRIX is already being applied by hundreds of OCSiAl’s partners around the world in their production processes, and we are excited by the fact that our technology has now also been acknowledged by such an authoritative organisation as JEC Group. TUBALL MATRIX was specially developed to facilitate the effective incorporation of nanotubes into materials. This technology is leading to the rapid expansion of nanotube applications in a wide range of end products,” said Youngsup Kim, OCSiAl Asia Pacific Commercial Director.

TUBALL MATRIX can be used both as a reinforcing and as a conductive additive, so it allows manufacturers of composites to develop high-performance conductive, strong and lightweight products. Various examples of high-performance materials and end products containing nanotubes were on display at OCSiAl’s booth at JEC Asia 2017. For instance, composite gas pressure cylinders modified with TUBALL nanotubes are now being used for storage and transportation of compressed air and in breathing apparatus. TUBALL nanotubes provide conductivity, increase the ?FRP cylinder’s maximum working pressure, fracture toughness, impact strength and damage resistance, and contribute to its light weight.

“Discovering the most promising innovations for the composites industry is one of the primary missions of JEC Group. The jury of the JEC Asia Innovation Awards has concluded that TUBALL MATRIX is one such technology that is able to shape the future of the industry, because it meets the modern market’s demand for stronger, lighter and more energy-efficient products,” said JEC Group representative.