EuroWire July 2021

Technology News

PVC compounds to improve safety in electrically charged environments

Delta Tecnic is a specialist in the production and commercialisation of colour concentrates and raw materials for plastics and cables. The company has a focus on the development of PVC compounds with permanent conductivity to reduce risk in environments with electrostatic charges, and helping to avoid explosions, undesired electrostatic charges and possible fires. Its conductive compounds meet the requirements of European ATEX regu- lations, which ensure safety in areas classified as explosive atmospheres. Such environments are found in industries that handle dangerous products such as fuels, hydrocarbons, fine-grained dusts or explosives, as well as in the petrochemical, plastic transformers, hospital and electronic sectors. Uncontrolled electrostatic discharges (ESD) are created when a charged object,

often plastic, is in contact with another material. The easiest way to prevent the generation of static electricity is to replace the insulating plastic with a semi- conductive or dissipative plastic. Compared to metallic coatings, Delta Tecnic’s conductive PVC compounds are lighter and easier to handle, and in many instances can simplify the part manufacturing process. The conductive/dissipative properties of Delta Tecnic PVC compounds are permanent over time and maintain stable conductivity values, even with varying atmospheric humidity. This product class is designed to be consistent even in thin extrusions, and is available for a wide range of appli- cations ranging from pipes, tubes and packaging to geomembranes and cable insulation. The conductive compounds are made from highly structured carbon blacks,

▲ Delta Tecnic is developing PVC compounds with permanent conductivity

together with new additives such as graphene or carbon nanotubes. The mixture of these components allows the creation of flexible and semi-rigid PVCs, especially for the cable, hose and pipe industry, as well as for technical areas of construction. Delta Tecnic SA https://deltatecnic.com

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July 2021