Orion Engineered Carbons, a specialty chemicals company, is showcasing its high performance acetylene black, PRINTEX® kappa 100, for lithium-ion batteries at The Battery Council International (BCI) Convention + Power Mart Expo.

Orion (Booth #204) also will highlight its conductive PRINTEX kappa 210, PRINTEX kappa 220 and PRINTEX kappa 240 grades for advanced lead-acid batteries. The Power Mart Expo takes place May 2, 2022, in Naples, Fla.

“PRINTEX kappa 100 has performed well since we officially launched it last year,” said Kevin Milks, marketing manager for polymers, battery and special applications at Orion. “Adding the acetylene black to our PRINTEX kappa grades for advanced lead-acid batteries, we offer a strong product line compatible with a wide range of chemistries to improve batteries’ conductive performance.”

Milks added that Orion backs the acetylene and carbon blacks with the professional expertise and capabilities of its customer-facing and technical teams.

Acetylene Advantage

Based on acetylene gas, PRINTEX kappa 100 offers conductive functionalities that improve lithium-ion battery performance. Acetylene black aggregates form a three-dimensional network to lower the internal resistance of battery cells by enhancing conductivity, ensuring that charge and discharge processes are performed effectively and Ohmic losses are minimized.

Compared to other carbon black, acetylene black’s high-intrinsic electronic conductivity and purity leads to significantly higher power densities and longer battery lifecycle. In addition, Orion’s acetylene black production generates a very high yield. As a result, PRINTEX kappa 100 has a remarkably low carbon footprint and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Based on acetylene gas, PRINTEX kappa 100 offers conductive functionalities that improve lithium-ion battery performance. Courtesy of Orion Engineered Carbons.

Increasing DCA in Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries

The PRINTEX kappa 210, PRINTEX kappa 220 and PRINTEX kappa 240 grades increase the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) of advanced lead-acid batteries by up to 60%, while maintaining acceptable water loss. They have very low metallic impurities, which results in extended battery cycle life. The modified surface of these PRINTEX kappa grades maintain conductivity and surface area while suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction, lowering water loss to acceptable levels. This surface modification gives battery manufacturers the freedom to use higher loading to achieve higher charge acceptance. Orion’s carbon black grades also lead the way in purity, economics and reliability.

The PRINTEX kappa 210, PRINTEX kappa 220 and PRINTEX kappa 240 grades increase the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) of advanced lead-acid batteries by up to 60%, while maintaining acceptable water loss. Courtesy of Orion Engineered Carbons.