A brand-new
plastic compound uses carbon nanotubes to achieve electrical conductivity.
Bosch engineers
are the first to specify the new material, Ultraform
N2320 C, a polyacetal from BASF. It will
be used in a fuel filter housing for the Audi A4 and A5 where SAE standard
J1645 (version of August 2006), requires a conductive material.
The SAE
standard recommends a maximum specific volume resistance of 106 ohm/cm for
materials that will be used in components through which fuel flows. Under
measuring conditions according to ISO 3915 (four-point method), the conductive
Ultraform attains a value of a mere 30 ohm/cm, making it 30,000 times more
conductive than necessary.
This
eliminates the risk of electrostatic charging and sparking as fuel flows
through the filter.
The new Ultraform is said to retain its polyacetal
properties such as toughness, dimensional stability and elastic resilience. BASF
says when this material comes into contact with fuels, it is stronger and
more creep-resistant than conventional polyacetal.
Carbon nanotubes
are fixed in the plastic matrix. The cylindrical carbon molecules have novel
properties that make them well suited for electronics and other applications. They
feature great strength and unique electrical properties, and are efficient
conductors of heat.
Tweet This
10 
