Back in 2003, Arkema undertook a Research and Development program for the production of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and the study of potential applications. The Company is now reasserting its commitment to nanomaterials and aims at producing multi-wall carbon nanotubes.

The Graphistrength™ range

Arkema currently develops its multiwall carbon nanotubes under the tradename Graphistrength™.
Launched officially at the JEC Composites tradeshow at the end of March 2006, this range includes three grades:

• Graphistrength™ 100 P50: a precomposite consisting of a blend of high purity (> 90%) multi-wall carbon nanotubes and an acrylic polymer, this product is extremely easy to handle and dose. It can be used beneficially in highly polar media and materials. In particular, it promotes stable dispersions in water.
• Graphistrength™ 200 P50: a precomposite consisting of a blend of high purity (> 90%) multi-wall carbon nanotubes and a specific block copolymer, this product is extremely easy to handle and dose. It can be used beneficially in thermoset and elastomer composites.
• Graphistrength™ C100: consisting of high purity (> 90%) multi-wall carbon nanotubes, this product can be used in a wide range of applications, namely thermoplastic materials, thermoset composites, elastomers, battery coatings and electrode materials, supercapacitors, and fuel cells.

In its labs, Arkema is constantly developing its Graphistrength™ range with new value-added products. Even though these new products are not yet commercially available, they can generally be obtained as samples in limited quantities.

When suitably dispersed in the material or medium to which they have been added, Graphistrength™ carbon nanotubes impart their outstanding characteristics in terms of mechanical properties, and electrical and thermal conductivity. 

Production facilities

Arkema’s pilot plant is designed to produce multi-wall carbon nanotubes in semi-industrial quantities at a lower cost than those currently manufactured in the laboratory.
With this pilot plant, Arkema is planning to developsales of carbon nanotubes to fulfill the expectations of converters in the thermoplastics, epoxy resins, elastomers and coatings sectors. Progress is also expected in the field of energy in which the use of carbon nanotubes will help manufacture energy-efficient batteries and fuel cells.