The challenge involved in using MWCNT, an innovative raw material coming into the market in quantities of several hundred metric tons per year, is to transfer the properties of single nanotubes (extreme strength, very high electrical and thermal conductivity) from the microscopic range to a macroscopic composite material. For a successful use in rubbers the most critical factors are the dispersion of the "entan-gled" nanotube agglomerates and their uniform distribution. With an innovative mixing technique CNT-master-batches rubber compounds with a high degree of agglomerate dispersion have been obtained. Using these master-baches NBR-vulcanisates are very homogeneous and electrically conductive at the same time. Stress values at 300% of 8MPa at 10 phr filler loading indicate the strong reinforcement potential of this new filler type.
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