We recently received a query whether LINQSTAT electrically conductive plastic will conduct electricity through thickness? Will this electrically conductive plastic be suitable for the manufacture of a polymer based battery? The reason was for a new battery design, and the designer needed to pass electricity from one metal object to another – but the two pieces couldn’t touch directly.
It was thought that LINQSTAT Volume Conductive Film be used between the two pieces of metal to transfer the charge. LINQSTAT takes a normally non-conductive plastic (polyethylene) and uses conductive fillers in the right size, combination and quantity to make it conductive. Since the material is carbon-filled, we believed it was possible and this was an application perfectly suited for the LINQSTAT.
Why LINQSTAT electrically conductive plastic is perfect for a polymer based battery
LINQSTAT is part of an emerging class of conductive plastics called radical polymers. These plastics are made in such a way that they conduct electricity not only across the surface, but also in the z-direction – essentially right through the film. At low loading levels, these plastics are not conductive at all – not even antistatic since there is no connections of the conductive chains within the polymer. Once the loading reaches a certain amount, the plastics become electrically conductive. This process is also very appealing because the materials and process used to get the conductivity is quite low cost compared to more expensive alternatives.
When deciding on the thickness, we decided that the 4-mil LINQSTAT VCF-4 Series was the best thickness to use. The reason for this is because it allows the right balance of thickness and conductivity.
After sending a few meters for testing, it was confirmed that the news was great. The worked flawlessly to gather and transfer a charge from one battery to another.
CAPLINQ is a specialty plastics supplier offering a range of conductive materials including our broad range of electrically conductive plastics and antistatic tapes and films. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how we can help you with your polymer based battery design.
