Electrically Conductive Microballoons and Compositions Incorporating Same

The present invention relates to conductive microparticles, their formation, and their use in a matrix of electrically nonconductive materials to produce an electrically conductive composite.

It is known that the inclusion of conductive metal particles in a matrix of electrically nonconductive material will produce a composite which is electrically conductive. Such composites rely upon particle-to-particle contact to produce a network of particles through which electrical current may flow. Typical composites rely upon particles of metals such as copper, tin, silver, gold, platinum, stainless steel, nickel, and various alloys thereof, or other conductive materials such as carbon or carbon fibers. These conductive particles have been mixed into polymers such as acrylics, phenolics, alkyds, rubbers, silicones, vinyls, urethanes, and other electrically nonconductive materials.

These composites all suffer from the following detrimental characteristics: (1) In materials utilizing metals as the conductive component, the metal particles are very dense compared to the polymer matrix and thus tend to separate from one another both before and during usage. (2) In materials utilizing carbon as the conductive component, the amount of carbon required to produce desirable conductivity causes the resulting composite to lose desirable mechanical properties. (3) In compositions which do achieve good conductivity the quantity of particles that must be incorporated make them very heavy.

The present invention provides an electrically conductive microparticle which can be incorporated into plastics and other electrically nonconductive materials and which is characterized by superior long-term electrical conductivity, low density, and lower cost. The microparticle comprises a microballoon having a coating of electrically conductive material on its surface.

The present invention further provides an electrically conductive composite material comprising a contacting network of the coated electrically conductive microballoons of the invention disposed in an electrically nonconductive matrix, which composite material is characterized by high conductivity, low density and structural integrity. Such composites have a number of useful applications, a number of which will be described herein.

Additionally, the present invention provides a method of producing microballoons having a coating of electrically conductive material on their respective surfaces.

It has been found in accordance with the present invention that electrically nonconductive microballoons may be coated with an extremely thin layer of metal to produce a material which can be incorporated into electrically nonconductive materials to give composites with superior electrical conductivity. These composites have a very low density, often lower than the electrically nonconductive plastic. Additionally, the desirable mechanical properties of the composite are only slightly affected by the inclusion of metal coated microballoons.

The term "microballoons" is understood by persons skilled in the art as referring to minute low density particles in the form of hollow or porous spheres formed of plastic, glass or ceramic. They are most commonly used as fillers in solid materials such as resins to form low density high strength composite materials. The preferred microballoons for use in the present invention are glass or ceramic microballoons such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,365,315; 3,699,050; and 3,796,777. Typically, they have a specific gravity on the order of 0.2 to 2 and a particle size ranging from one micron to a maximum of about 500 microns. A particularly suitable microballoon has a specific gravity on the order ot about 0.7.

It has been found in the present invention that certain ceramic microballoons such as Q-Cel Grades 100, 110, 120, 200, 300, and others from The PQ Corporation; and Extendospheres XOL-200, CG, SG, SF-14, and others from PA Industries have magnetic properties. The magnetic properties are attributable to the presence in the ceramic composition of magnetic components such as iron, nickel, iron oxide, ferrite or mixtures of these materials. This magnetic property enhances the tendency of the metal coated microballoons to form networks, and gives composites with exceptional electrical conductivity.

The metal coated microballoons of the present invention are advantageous in several respects. First, because of their light weight, they may be included in a composite material without significantly adding to its weight, and indeed in some cases, may actually serve to advantageously reduce the density of the composite to a density less than the matrix from which the composite is made. Thus, the metal coated microballoons suffer none of the disadvantages of excess weight that exist where metal particles are used in such a matrix, and are also considerably less costly.

Second, the structural integrity and low density of the metal coated microballoons enables them to exhibit inherently good mechanical properties, both by themselves and when included in a composite material as described herein.

Additionally, the magnetic properties which have been discovered in certain of the microballoons prior to metal coating, when combined with the metal plating of the present invention, give a particle with a greatly enhanced capability for forming a conductive composite with a suitable matrix. Specifically, because of the magnetic properties, the microballoons have a greater tendency to form networks among themselves than would be the case were they not magnetic. Consequently, when added to a matrix such as a polymer, the microballoons are magnetically attracted towards one another and form networks much more favorably than would most other particles. In this regard, it will be noted that the low density of the metal coated microballoons serves to enhance the networking effect of the magnetic properties.

Some metals are more effective than others in providing long-term conductivity when incorporated into the present invention. For example, copper, when freshly cleaned and incorporated into a polymer, gives good electrical conductivity at first, but which slowly diminishes with aging as the copper oxidizes at the particle-to-particle contact points. Alternatively, noble metals such as silver, gold, platinum, and palladium give the best results, having a negligible tendency to oxidize at the contact points. A composite loaded with sufficient noble metal particles to produce electrical conductivity is very expensive, very heavy, and causes problems in that the metal tends to settle and separate from the plastic. However, by providing a thin coating of the noble metal on the surface of an inexpensive and lightweight microballoon, it is possible to achieve the desirable electrical properties of the metal while avoiding the above noted problems.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the microballoons are coated with silver. Silver is advantageous in two respects: the basic chemistry for depositing a coating of silver is well known; and silver is presently the least expensive of the noble metals.

In developing a practical method to silverplate microballoons, however, it has been found that concentrations and techniques must be drastically changed from the normal plating methods. In contrast to the face of a sheet of glass, microballoons present an extremely large surface area to a silverplating solution. In the present invention, it has been found that the use of typical or known formulas for silvering mirrors are inapplicable and unsuitable to the silvering of microballoons. Typically, when used to attempt to plate microballoons, these formulas result in large amounts of precipitated colloidal silver, evidenced by a very dark black plating solution and very poor surface appearance of the microballoons.

The present invention includes a procedure that yields bright, extremely thin coatings of silver upon the surface of the microballoons. This procedure allows for the control of the thickness of the deposited metal and an essentially complete usage of the silver contained in solution. The prior art, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,871,139, teaches the use of various metal hydroxides, carbonates, or bicarbonates to raise the pH of the silvering solution and, in general, teaches that higher pH's result in faster silvering. Powerful materials such as hydrazine sulfate are used for reducing agents. Such processes give very rapid silverplating when applied to most substrates, but not when applied to microballoons with the high surface area which they present to a plating solution.

In contrast to the prior art, it has been found in accordance with the present invention that the best results are obtained if the rate of silvering is reduced considerably. It has also been found that metal hydroxides, carbonates, or bicarbonates are detrimental to the silverplating of microballoons. Further, powerful reducing agents such as hydrazine sulfate are also detrimental. Instead, it has been found in accordance with the present invention that the best results occur when the concentration of silver nitrate is much higher than taught in the prior art, when the reducing agent is a sugar such as fructose or dextrose, and when a chelating agent is used in an amount slightly more than is otherwise required to give a clear solution when added to a silver nitrate solution.

For best results, it is desirable to carry out the metal plating in a two-step operation in which the surface of the microballoons is first sensitized by treatment with a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, platinum or palladium, followed by chemically reducing salts of metals selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, nickel, gold, platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, tin or their mixtures using a mild reducing agent such as a reducing sugar (e.g. fructose or dextrose).

The following examples illustrate typical methods of forming the metal-plated microballoons according to the present invention.

40 grams of Q-Cel 400 obtained from the PQ Corporation were placed in a 1 liter separatory funnel with 500 milliliters water and a solution of 3 grams of stannous chloride and 3 milliliters of concentrated hydrochloric acid in 100 milliliters water was added. This mixture was shaken and those beads which settled were removed. The remaining microballoons were washed with 800 ml. tap water three times and with 200 ml. distilled water twice. The microballoons were then washed with acetone, gravity filtered, and air dried at 60.degree. C.

50 ml. of a 2% fructose solution was added to 1.4 grams of the above dry microballoons in a 300 ml. polyethylene jar. A second solution was prepared by taking 50 ml. of 2% silver nitrate and adding 50% by weight aqueous AMP-95 (2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol from International Minerals and Chemical Corp.) until the solution just cleared, and then adding a few extra drops of AMP-95. This solution was added to the 300 ml. polyethylene jar and the mix was tumbled for 45 minutes. The microballoons were gravity filtered, washed with tap water and air dried. Bright uniformly coated spheres were produced.

Because Q-Cel 400, when added to water, gives an alkaline solution with a pH of 10, addition of stannous chloride without additional hydrochloric acid would cause stannous hydroxide to precipitate and give a useless product for silvering.

80 grams of Q-Cel 110 from the PQ Corporation were placed in a 1 liter separatory funnel with 500 ml. tap water, shaken, and those microballoons settling were removed. To this mixture was added a solution of 4 grams stannous chloride and 5 ml. concentrated hydrochloric acid in 100 ml. water. This mix was shaken for 5 minutes and any microballoons settling were again removed. The microballoons were washed in the separatory funnel twice with 500 ml. tap water and twice with 200 ml. distilled water. This product was then air dried.

50 grams of the resulting tinned microballoons were placed in a 550 ml. polyethylene jar. 200 ml. of a 2% fructose solution were added, and this mixture was tumbled. For the plating, 6 grams of silver nitrate were dissolved in 150 ml. distilled water and 16 ml. of 50% by weight AMP-95 was added to give a clear solution. This silver nitrate solution was added to the polyethylene jar and the mix was tumbled for 45 minutes. The microballoons were then vacuum filtered, washed with 500 ml. tap water, rinsed with tap water, acetone, and air dried. The yield was essentially quantative. Examination of the balloons with a microscope showed each uniformly covered with a bright mirror-like silver coating.

Tin-sensitized Q-Cel 110 as prepared in Example 2 may be silverplated at various silver ratios. Typically the weight of Q-110 could be 5, 10, 20, 25, or 30 grams treated with 3 grams silver nitrate by the following procedure. The Q-110 is placed in a 300 ml. polyethylene jar and 100 ml. of 2% fructose is added. This mix is tumbled while a solution is prepared from 3 grams of silver nitrate dissolved in 100 ml. distilled water and 7.5 ml. of 50% by weight aqueous AMP-95. A few extra drops of the AMP-95 solution are added. The tumbler is stopped while the silver nitrate solution is being added. Tumbling is continued for 45 minutes. These microballoons may be gravity or vacuum filtered, washed, and air dried. This procedure gave excellent results, producing silver coated microballoons having loadings of silver ranging from approximately 28% silver to 6.25% silver. All spheres gave a bright shiny appearance.

500 grams of Q-Cel 110 were placed into a 2 gallon stainless steel container. A solution was prepared of 5 grams of stannous chloride and 5 ml. concentrated hydrochloric acid in 500 ml. tap water. This solution was added to the microballoons and stirred for 5 minutes. Approximately 2 liters of tap water were then added and the mix was stirred and then allowed to sit for about 10 minutes. The microballoons which floated (approximately 96%) were then removed and vacuum filtered. The microballoons were then washed with 2 liters tap water followed by 600 ml. of distilled water. The damp, tin-sensitized microballoons were placed in a lined gallon can along with 65 grams of dextrose in 1300 ml. of distilled water. 64 grams of silver nitrate were then dissolved in 700 ml. distilled water. 82 ml. AMP-95 (as received from the distributor) was added to the silver nitrate solution, producing a clear solution. This solution was added to the gallon can which was then sealed and tumbled for 4 hours. After tumbling, the microballoons were vacuum filtered and washed with tap water. Following an acetone rinse, the bright, shiny silver coated microballoons were air dried. This procedure yielded approximately 480 grams of product.

According to the present invention, many significant and advantageous uses may be made of the plated microballoons, of which the following are examples not intended to limit the scope of the present invention:

The metal coated microballoons of the present invention may be incorporated into typical coating formulas to give electrically conductive coatings. These coatings may be applied by brushing, spraying, or other methods. As an example, a cellulose acetate butyrate lacquer was mixed with 20% by weight of the material as prepared in Example 4 herein and sprayed on a glass panel. After drying, measurements with an ohm meter gave readings of 6 ohms with a probe spread of 8 inches or about 4 ohms with a probe spread of 4 inches. This coating was an effective radio frequency shield.

The metal plated microballoons may also be used to produce an electrically conductive adhesive when they are incorporated into an adhesive composition. As an example, a commercially available hot melt adhesive was melted and 30% by weight of the metal coated microballoons prepared in Example 4 herein were stirred in. Tin panels were joined with this hot melt at a separation of 1/8 inch. When cooled, the conductivity across the adhesive joint was found to be 0.1 ohm.

The metal coated microballoons may also be used to produce an electrically conductive liquid which is suitable for the replacement of mercury in certain types of switches. A mixture of silicone oil or other electrically nonconductive liquid mixed with 30% by weight metal coated microballoons behaves as an electrically conductive liquid and will cause a low resistance electrical circuit to be formed when placed between two electrodes.

The strength of the microballoons is sufficient to allow for injection molding and extrusion. If sufficient metal coated microballoons are used, injection molded or extruded parts are highly electrically conductive.

In other applications, the metal coated microballoons of the present invention may be sprayed to a tacky surface of paint, polymer or other similar materials to produce an electrically conductive surface.

The metal coated microballoons of the present invention also perform well in certain applications even without being placed in a polymer matrix. For example, the equivalent of an electrically conductive wire that will not break upon repeated flexing may be prepared by tightly filling a piece of rubber tubing with the dry metal coated microballoons. This device will maintain conductivity without breaking upon repeated flexing.

Where a thin coating of catalytic metal such as platinum is applied to the microballoons, a unique catalyst may be prepared which is useful for fluidized beds, and in contrast to more dense beads, has a very low heat capacity and the pressures required to maintain the fluidized condition are extremely low.

Metal coated microballoons below 50 microns in diameter may be incorporated into printing inks and pastes to produce electrically conductive printing suitable for detection by electronic means.

Electrically conductive epoxy castings and adhesives may be prepared by incorporating sufficient metal coated microballoons of the present invention. As an example, a two component epoxy system was prepared and 30% by weight of the metal coated microballoons were stirred in. The mix was placed in several polyethylene containers and allowed to harden. The resulting plastic castings exhibited very good electrical conductivity.

A very unique material may be prepared by adding a self-setting system such as an epoxy, urethane, or polyester to a large amount of metal coated microballoons. This yields a putty-like material which will soon harden to a very light matrix with excellent mechanical and electrical properties. A similar system may also be prepared by lightly wetting the spheres with a thermosetting polymer such as a phenolic and baking it. This also yields an extra light and strong electrically conductive part.

In certain applications, it is advantageous for certain injection molded parts to be surface coated with a different material after molding has been completed. This may be accomplished by first spraying the mold parts with a coating before injection molding a part. According to the present invention, the coating incorporates metal coated microballoons, a part may then be injection molded which will result in a surface of any color, texture, or strength that is electrically conductive and suitable for RF shielding.

Static electricity causes many problems in hospital operating rooms, aircraft, computer rooms, or other areas where static charges may be generated. In the past, to bleed these electrostatic charges away, plastics were produced with very high carbon contents to produce materials with sufficient conductivity to dissipate such charges. Because the percentage of carbon required was so high, the physical properties of such coatings, coverings and floorings were poor. Incorporation of electrically conductive metal coated microballoons according to the present invention, however, yields conductive materials, flooring, and upholstery which retain good physical properties and have conductivities much greater than materials loaded with carbon.

Electronic printed circuit boards utilizing high speed solid state components often suffer from unwanted coupling, cross-talk, and external RF interference. The metal coated microballoons of the present invention may be used to produce the equivalent of a form fitting ground plane which will completely shield the board from external fields and limit internal coupling. Such a plane may be prepared by first coating the finished board with a nonelectrically conductive barrier coat and then completely spraying the board with a suitable coating which incorporates sufficient metal coated microballoons to become electrically conductive.

In certain applications, coatings or castings incorporating sufficient metal coated microballoons of the present invention may be used in reflectors of electromagnetic radiation. As an example, a concave dish made of plastic which is electrically nonconductive and transparent to microwaves may be used as a microwave antenna by coating the concave surface with paint containing sufficient metal coated microballoons to make the surface electrically conductive.

For other application, a useful patching material may be prepared by adding sufficient metal coated microballoons to a silicone rubber or the like and troweling and smoothing this mix onto such substrates as the metal plates used in complex shaped radio frequency molds.

A useful shielding material suitable for shielding telephone cables and other such electronic transmission devices may be prepared by incorporating sufficient metal coated microballoons into a mastic or putty to render the mix electrically conductive.

A useful gasket for radio frequency shielding in cable couplings may be made by incorporating sufficient metal coated microballoons to yield a conductive gasket.

A useful radio frequency shield may be prepared by incorporating sufficient metal coated microballoons in heat shrinkable tubing to produce the equivalent of a heat shrinkable metal tube.

A more uniform, reliable, and less expensive switch may be prepared by adding metal coated microballoons to a rubber, such as a silicone. In the past, pressure sensitive switches have been prepared by adding metal flakes or powder to a rubber in a concentration just below that where electrical conductivity is achieved. Upon compressing the rubber the particles touch and the composite becomes a good electrical conductor.

The metal flakes and powder used in the past tended to settle before the liquid silicone set to a rubber. The random particle shapes of the powder and flakes also caused consistent reproducibility to be difficult to achieve. Metal coated microballoons do not have any of these deficiencies. The uniform spherical shape and no tendency to settle allow the production of switches of uniform and constant electrical characteristics.

Very high static electricity charges are generated during reentry of space vehicles into the atmosphere. The metal coated microballoons of the present invention may be incorporated into the heat shields used in space vehicles to render the heat shields electrically conductive and thereby dissipate static electricity charges.