Huber introduces thermally conductive additives for modified polymeric systems

Huber | Martinswerk, part of the Huber Engineered Materials division of J.M. Huber Corporation (Atlanta, GA, US), has developed a series of Martoxid alumina-based thermally conductive powders that are said to offer unique properties and performance for modified polymeric systems. Martoxid TM-4000 Series products are specially designed for polyamides. The Martoxid TM-4250 thermally conductive filler is the newest grade in the series and can reportedly increase orientation-independent (isotropic) thermal conductivity in PA6 and PA66 up to 2.5 W/mK (in-plane and through plane). Huber says tests conducted at Fraunhofer LBF (Darmstadt, Germany), on PA6 compounds indicate that the abrasion level of Martoxid TM-4250 is low and much less abrasive compared with fillers that have a lower Mohs hardness, such as aluminosilicate and glass fiber. Because of the optimized rheological behavior, Huber says the Martoxid TM-4000 series can be used in complex and integrative designs of parts, including sub-millimeter wall thicknesses via standard injection molding techniques. According to Huber, injection molding production processes showed a reduced cycle time up to 50% compared to standard polyamide parts as a result of a faster cooling time.