Introduction to Conductive Polymer Composites

This book is derived from the findings of an EU-funded project. The objective of the project was to develop conductive plastic composites that are eco-friendly, cost effective and of high added value. This was achieved through an ambitious multidisciplinary approach developing new, radically innovative, knowledge-based and sustainable products for protection against the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Research was based on the compounding of engineering polymers and inherently conductive polymers (ICP) with improved conductivity, or hybrid systems of ICP with conductive nanotubes and other fibrous conductors. Innovative processing technologies specifically tailored to the new materials were also developed. The project aimed to dramatically extend the current performance and processability of ICP and alternative materials to enable significant replacement of metals in EMI shielding and ESD protection applications. This book will benefit plastics converters who wish to take full advantage of the potential of conductive plastic materials.