Polymer nanocomposites that are based upon carbon nanotubeanofiber technology cangenerate significant enhancements in electrical conductivity and possibly in electromagneticinterference (EMI) shielding effectiveness. However, polymer nanocomposites show largeincreases in viscosity during processing of thermoset materials. The increases in viscosity createchallenges for practically implementing polymer nanocomposite technology in structuralcomponents that require fiber reinforcement as well. With these challenges in mind, our workfocused on the development of an integrated EMI shielding coating that utilizes carbonnanofiberanotube technology and is co-cured with the fiber-reinforced composite. Byimplementing the nanofiller only where it is needed and not through the entire part, thecomposite can be made without requiring major changes to the composite processing method.This paper describes the integrated coating process developed, the results obtained to date withthe process, and the unique supply-chain relationship we have established to rapidlycommercialize this technology.
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