[nanoPost] Carbon nanofibers for thermal grease

Company Austria

The company produces carbon nanofibers (CNF) and holds relevant patents for the production of such nanofibers (filiform graphite tubes with a diameter of a few nanometers: 1nm = one millionth of a millimeter).   
 
 
Production 
 
 
If gaseous carbon (from hydrocarbon, i.e. natural gas) is deposited on heated metallic particles, tube-shaped, graphite-like structures (CNF) develop from these particles. This production is known as Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition method (CCVD method) which is equivalent to catalytic deposition from the gaseous phase. This outstanding graphitic structure is inherent in carbon nanofibers and enables their utilization as  
 
- mechanical 
- electrical 
- and / or thermal 
- reinforcements in compound materials.

They can also be used at field emission peaks in monitor applications, as catalyst supports, or as electrode material in batteries. The latter application is currently not being actively developed by the company. 
 
 
Fillers 
 
 
Owing to their outstanding physical and multifunctional properties, already minimal amounts of CNF are highly suitable for utilization as functional filling materials, i.e. in polymers; especially in thermoplasts and duroplasts carbon nanofibers are applied today to meet the requirements of present and future applications.
 

Applications

The thermal grease developed by the company is applied especially for thermal management in the electronics industry. The silicon-free carrier material used has been developed especially for the purpose of thermal transmittance and is mixed with the CNF functioning as thermal conductor. This nanocomposite enables the consistent transfer of created heat without dissipation from the source of heat (i.e. CPU) to the cooling system.  
 
The thermal grease can be applied universally and does not react with other media because of the filling material.  
 
 
Advantages of the thermal grease  
 
- Low specific density enables filling of comparable volumes with significantly less weight than with conventional greases 
- Nanoscaled filler material enables application of extremely thin layers, providing better conductivity. 
- Contrary to other silicon-free thermal greases, the grease provides full performance after initial application.

- The  agent viscosity enables easy application in screen printing procedures; viscosity can be adjusted as desired. 

- The company’s special material attributes prevents drifting, evaporating, or yielding; yet it can be easily removed.
 
 
Example of use 
 
 
The main application area of the  Thermal Grease is the IT industry. The Thermal Grease  provides uniform heat dissipation from the CPU or other hotspots to the cooling unit. 
 

Apart from application areas actively pursued by the company, such as CNF MB & compounds, thermal greases, and the sale of pure carbon nanofibers, developments are also under way in the field of CNF-reinforced composites such as epoxy resins. Proportionally low amounts of CNFs result in significant improvements of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. These positive properties are mainly utilized in structural composites either to reduce material (weight) or for mechanical reinforcement.

Demand for such materials is ever increasing in the space and aviation industries as well as in motor sports, as little input yields high utility. 

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