Conductive Elastomer Market: Introduction
- Conductive elastomer is a type of elastomer that is used to conduct electricity or thermal energy and provide environmental sealing. In conductive elastomers, the base material is usually made up of silicone, fluorosilicone, and EPDM. Silica and carbon black are commonly used additives that are used to induce thermal and electrical conductivity. This is achieved by dispersing conductive particles such as carbon throughout raw materials. These additives help enhance conductance as well as mechanical properties of elastomers.
- The molecules of elastomers are linked together with very weak intermolecular forces and viscoelasticity. They show low Young’s modulus and high yield strength or high failure strain. Elastomers possess properties of viscoelasticity and exhibit viscous and elastic characteristics. Conductive elastomers are preferred due to low hardness and high elongation property.
- Conductive elastomer is employed in a wide range of industries such as defense, electronics, telecommunication, and health care.
Key Drivers of Conductive Elastomer Market
- Conductive elastomer is used when general weather sealing and shielding from EMI/RFI is required. It is primarily employed in the perimeter of military shelter doors/access panels. The U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and India are the top five spenders on the defense sector. According to the information published by Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s defense budget increased by 5% from US$ 66.5 Bn in 2019 to US$ 69.8 Bn in 2020. Thus, increase in spending on the defense sector is expected to boost the demand for elastomers in the near future.
- Thermally conductive rubber helps reduce electromagnetic interference noise that is generated by electronic devices. Demand for electronic devices such as smartphones, stretchable smartphones, and televisions has been rising at a rapid pace. The millennial population is the key demand creator of these devices. China, South Korea, and Taiwan are the major exporters of electronic devices. The electronic devices market has been expanding at an average growth rate of 7% to 8% annually. Increase in customer base in these countries is anticipated to propel the demand for conductive elastomers during the forecast period.
Key Restraints of Conductive Elastomer Market
- Multicon materials and radthin are substitutes of conductive elastomers. Multicon is available in sponge silicone with aluminum or Monel wire, which can be used for conduction.
- Radthin is not as popular as multicon and conductive silicone. However, it can be used in applications where environmental sealing is not preferred.
- Radthin is easy to manufacture and available at a lower price than conductive rubber
Conductive Elastomer: End-use Industry Segment
- Based on end-use industry, the global conductive elastomer market can be divided into aerospace, electronics, and defense (military vehicles)
- Military generally uses conductive rubber in the perimeter of military shelter doors/access panels and in the manufacture of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)/Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) window gaskets/seals to provide general weather sealing. Tenders for manufacture of military equipment has been rising in the U.S., China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and India, which are the top five defense armies across the globe. This is boosting the demand for conductive elastomers.
- Conductive rubber is also used in control systems of cockpit of aircraft in the aerospace industry. Generally, thermally conductive fluorosilicone EMI/RFI gasket is used to provide conductive and environmental seal interface between the window buss bar and an enclosure.
- Conductive silicone/fluorosilicone is generally used to shield electronic devices from electromagnetic interference. It is also referred as radio frequency interference. This interference can cause damage to the circuits of electronic devices. Industries are searching for solutions to avoid this damage, which increase their expenditure. Electromagnetic interference gasket is generally used to avoid the radiation of frequency waves causing disturbance within the circuit of electronics. Maintaining electromagnetic compatibility is a major challenge for electronic manufacturers. Conductive elastomers are ideal options to overcome this challenge. Therefore, they are used as EMI/RFI shielding materials.
Key Manufacturers in Market
Key manufacturers operating in the global conductive elastomer market include:
- Rogers Corporation
- Silicone Solutions
- 3M
- Parker Hannifin Corporation
- Parker Chomerics
- TennVac Inc.
- Nolato Cerbo AB
- Wacker Chemie AG
- NuSil Technology LLC
- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
- Momentive Performance Materials
- Dow Chemical Company
- MasterBond Inc.
- Hexpol AB
Global Conductive Elastomer Market: Research Scope
Global Conductive Elastomer Market, by Type
- Thermally Conductive
- Electrically Conductive
- Others
Global Conductive Elastomer Market, by End-use industry
- Defense
- Aerospace
- Electronics
- Telecommunication
- Health Care
- Others
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