Nano Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (NPCC)
 
NPCC refers to ultra-fine precipitated calcium carbonate with an average particle diameter of less than 100 nanometers that is used as an additive in various products. Because of its special physical and chemical properties, NPCC has been widely applied in the paint, paper, plastic and rubber industries.

We co-developed with Tsinghua University an advanced method for preparing nano precipitated calcium carbonate using membrane dispersion technology. The particles prepared with the new technology are more uniform, have high mass transfer efficiency, high throughput, low-energy consumption, and controllability compared with those by direct precipitation method or the ultra gravity method.

We are targeting the fastest-growing area for NPCC, the tire and PVC building material market. Our NPCC products are ultra-fine and pure, with a particle size and crystal shape that can be controlled effectively in the production process to provide highly effective fillers and additives for tires and PVC building materials. NPCC is highly compatible with rubber if modified by a surface coating agent. It fills the spatial structure in rubber and enhances the property of rubber products. It can be used solely as a filler, which has a reinforcing effect, and it also can be applied with other fillers such as precipitated calcium carbonate, argil and titanium oxide for reinforcement, filling, improving the process and property of products and reducing rubber content. NPCC can be used to partially substitute some expensive materials such as titanium oxide and silicon dioxide. Currently, we are the only Chinese manufacturer of NPCC that is able to supply the tire market.

China's PVC building materials market is also growing substantially as a result of China's continuing urbanization drive and growing real estate market.  When modified with a surface coating agent, NPCC becomes oleophilic and hydrophobic. The surface coating agents for plastics include fatty acid and a coupling agent, and they are compatible with organic substances. As a result, the modified NPCC can be used to fill in plastics such as PVC to increase their glossiness. Applying modified NPCC to plastics has many positive effects, such as increased strength, heat resistance and dimension stabilization. More importantly, such application reduces the overall cost substantially.

We have begun targeting the paper-making market and oil-based paints and ink market. China's paper-making industry has a growth stage and is one of the emerging markets for NPCC. NPCC products are particularly suitable for making newsprint and coated paper, and they are widely used in oil-based paints and ink. With China's continuing urbanization and its growing investment in the auto industry, the demand for oil-based paints is also increasing.


         Application of Active Nano-Calcium Carbonate in Tire 

        LIU De-sheng, ZHANG Jian-xun, Lin Xiang-yang, Guan Qing-jun, JIANG Jie
            (Qingdao Double Star Tire Industry Co., Ltd, Jiaonan    266400, China)
 
Abstract: The application of an active nano-calcium carbonate in tire was experimentally investigated. The results showed that the processibility of rubber compound and the physical properties of vulcanizate improved by adding 5~8 phr active nano-calcium carbonate in the sidewall and carcass ply compounds of bias ply tire and adjusting the addition level of carbon black and softener properly; the comparable tear strength, abrasion resistance and other physical properties of vulcanizate and the better extrudability were obtained by adding 4 phr active nano-calcium carbonate in the tread compound of radial tire; and the production cost reduced.

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