Graphene nanotubes provide SMC composites with permanent anti-static performance, even under extreme temperature, humidity, and chemical exposure. Such materials are ideal for manufacturing protective enclosures, such as control panels and dashboards, transformer housings and junction boxes, control units and monitoring devices, for the electronics industry and other ATEX/IECEx zones, safeguarding equipment from becoming an ignition source in hazardous areas.
These anti-static sheet molding compounds enhanced with nanotubes maintain their original flame retardancy, mechanical strength, and design flexibility. Supplied in ready-to-use forms, nanotubes enable clean, dust-free processing compared to carbon black and are fully compatible with standard manufacturing equipment and technologies.
Protective enclosures are commonly made from carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, thermoplastics, and composite materials. Compared with conventionally used materials, which may have drawbacks such as limited corrosion resistance, lower mechanical robustness, restricted temperature resistance, or high cost, sheet molding composites stand out by providing overall high performance. They combine high mechanical strength with excellent corrosion resistance, offer flame-retardant properties and, when enhanced with graphene nanotubes, provide anti-static performance for use in hazardous environments. As a result, SMC enclosures represent a durable, low-maintenance solution for demanding industrial and outdoor applications.
TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes provide permanent, humidity-independent anti-static performance at ultralow loadings, preserving mechanical strength and design flexibility. Unlike migratory additives, they do not leach out or depend on environmental conditions, making them suitable for long service life and ATEX/IECEx applications. Compared to carbon black and metal fillers, graphene nanotubes achieve conductivity without added weight, color limitations, corrosion risks, or reduced surface and insulation properties, delivering lightweight, durable, high-performance anti-static solutions.
* This diagram provides average trends compared with other additives, based on OCSiAl data. Product performance may vary depending on product type and formulation.
Preserving the color close to original color of the system is possible due to TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes’ ultralow working dosages, starting at just 0.01 wt.%, and minimal graying effect. Nanotubes create a 3D network within SMC composites, delivering homogeneous electrical resistivity without insulative spots.
TUBALL™ MATRIX 204 is a concentrate based on polymer-carriers and pre-dispersed TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes. It is specifically designed for polyester and vinyl-ester composites and coatings. The concentrate can be added during the compounding stage, maintaining the ability to mold complex geometries, and it is fully compatible with standard SMC processing.
Universelles leitfähiges Additiv auf Basis eines Weichmachers mit einem Stabilisierungsmittel für Polyester- und Vinylesterbeschichtungen, sowie Anwendungen auf Basis von lösungsmittelbasiertem Melamin- oder Acrylharz. Es wird auch für Polyester- und Vinylester-Verbundstoffe empfohlen.
