Although most of us don't realize it, the innovations delivered by fine particle technology are all around us. Whether it's circuit boards for computers, toners for photocopiers, or free-flowing cake mixes, many products we use today rely on fine particles such as carbon black or fumed silica. Indeed, modern life as we experience daily is possible thanks to the essential role of fine particles.

In spite of the importance of fine particles, they have little value outside a system. A system can be a solid (e.g. tire, daylighting panel) or a liquid (e.g. polishing slurry, ink, paint) containing fine particles dispersed in a medium where the particle provides a key function.

At Cabot, we help our customers by engineering particles that provide maximum effectiveness and functionality in their applications. Because each system is different and complex, our approach is to work with each customer to understand the application, the system formulation and the functionality required of the particle.

 

Once we understand these pieces, we can tailor particle composition, morphology and surface functionality to meet the specific needs of your application. We ensure success by combining our technical skills (expertise in colloidal and material sciences) with the right state-of-the-art analytical tools.

Building on our particle/media expertise

One of our achievements in particle-system interactions in liquids comes from our Inkjet Printing business. Combining our breakthrough surface modification technology and our knowledge of colloidal systems and synthetic chemistry, Cabot works with inkjet printer manufacturers to create pigment dispersions that produce the exceptionally sharp, clean printing consumers expect (and demand) from their printers.

Our Printable Electronic and Displays business, fueled by today's drive toward pervasive, low cost electronics, takes this particle system knowledge a step further. Rather than providing color, Cabot's fine particles must now provide electrical conductivity and these new ink formulations must be compatible with the demanding requirements of digital printing technologies, such as high production inkjet and analog printing. Our PEDs business is developing inks that meet these two requirements.

In the area of solid composites, we have used our understanding of mechanical properties and processing to develop a technology to improve the dispersion of particles into rubber: Cabot Elastomer Composites. This process leads to vastly improved macro and microdispersion of particles in the rubber matrix, giving a material much enhanced tensile, vibrational and wear properties leading to longer lasting car tires and to the ability to incorporate a wide range of particles into latex that was previously impossible.

Some of our applications of designing particle – media interactions for given applications are shown below.

• Pharmaceutical tablets can be manufactured due to fumed silica, which holds the active ingredients together.
• New inkjet photo printers deliver pictures that are crisper and last longer because of pigments present in the ink.
• Car tires last longer and contribute to safer driving in part due to how carbon black functions with rubber.
• New photocopiers can print faster and cheaper because of the carbon black and fumed silicas used in today's toners.
• Fine particles are also found in cell phones, cake mixes, toiletries and cosmetics, windshield wiper blades, frozen food containers, paints, automotive finishes, skylights, adhesives and sealants, and cables and electrical wires.