Acicular Electroconductive Materials-FT Series
Solutions for Next-Generation Infrastructure
Enabling Long-Term Appearance Retention in Exterior Coatings
Super Durable Titanium Dioxide TIPAQUE PFC105
Enabling Long-Term Appearance Retention in Exterior Coatings
FT SERIES INTRODUCTION
Acicular Electroconductive Titanium Dioxide
FT-3000 and FT-4000 are acicular (needle-shaped) electroconductive titanium dioxide pigments for coatings.
These materials consist of a titanium dioxide base coated with a conductive layer of Antimony doped Tin Dioxide (ATO). Their acicular particle shape enables effective electrostatic (ESD) control at low loading levels, providing greater formulation flexibility.
FT-3000 combines the whiteness of titanium dioxide with electroconductive functionality. Its white color supports greater color flexibility in applications where light-colored conductive coatings are desired. The acicular particle structure is designed to facilitate conductive network formation and may enable conductivity at relatively low loading levels, depending on the formulation.
FT-4000 features a larger columnar particle structure than FT-3000, which can further improve conductive network formation efficiency and may enable lower loading levels in applications where maximizing conductivity efficiency is a priority (formulation dependent).
Key Advantages
Key Advantages of Acicular Electroconductive Materials-FT Series
- White conductive pigment enabling light-colored coatings
- Acicular structure supports efficient conductive network formation
- Conductivity achievable at relatively lower loading levels (formulation dependent)
- Good dispersion in coating systems
- Inorganic system designed for permanent antistatic performance
- Stable conductivity independent of humidity
APPLICATION FOCUS
Applications in Data Centers and Electronics Facilities
The expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers increases the need for reliable electrostatic control.
Electroconductive coatings are used to control electrostatic discharge (ESD) in environments with sensitive electronic equipment.
Light-colored electroconductive coatings formulated with TiO₂ and ATO-based pigments such as the FT Series help prevent the buildup of static electricity, protecting sensitive electronic components and AI servers from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Beyond ESD protection, light-colored conductive flooring can improve visibility during maintenance and inspection activities. Cables, connectors, screws, tools, and foreign debris are easier to identify on a light-colored surface than on conventional dark conductive flooring, helping support more efficient facility operations.
The high-reflectance appearance of light-colored flooring can also contribute to brighter work environments by enhancing the effectiveness of existing facility lighting and improving overall visibility within large operational spaces, which could contribute to energy savings.
APPLICATION FOCUS
Floor Coatings
- Data center flooring (AI / server infrastructure)
- Electronics manufacturing environments
- Cleanrooms and controlled facilities
COATING SYSTEM STRUCTURE
Electroconductive Coating Systems
Electroconductive pigments are incorporated into the conductive layer of multi-layer flooring systems.
Surface Resistivity by Loading Levels of Acicular and Spherical Electroconductive Material
Acicular type can reduce the dosage (air dry type acrylic resin)
PERFORMANCE
Conductivity Performance
Surface resistivity decreases as conductive material content increases.
The acicular particle geometry of FT Series enables efficient conductive network formation at lower loading levels compared to spherical particles.
COLOR FLEXIBILITY
Conductivity with Color Design Flexibility
Coatings systems with conventional conductive are typically restricted to dark finishes.
FT series enables electroconductivity in formulations where color flexibility is required.
- Suitable for light-colored coatings
- Supports broader color formulation
- Enables design-sensitive applications
FT Series/Organic Colorant
FT-3000：Can formulate variety of light colors while maintaining conductivity
Competitive conductive material : Cannot achieve lighter colors with enough conductivity
Comparison of Conductive Pigment Types for Light-Colored Applications
Property
Color
Design Flexibility
Required Loading Level*
Dispersibility
FT Series
White
High
Lower
Good
Conventional Conductive Materials
Good
Limited
Lower
Challenging
Spherical Electroconductive TiO₂
White
High
Higher
Moderate
*Formulation dependent.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS
Additional Applications of Acicular Electroconductive Materials
- Automotive plastic components: Enables a white primer => reduces amount of topcoat necessary to hide the primer color under light-colored coating
= Reduction in topcoat material cost, energy cost and time to cure the coating
Industrial coatings
Product Properties
| Property | FT-3000 | FT-4000 |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | TiO2, SnO2 (Sb doped) | |
| Crystal form of TiO2 | rutile | |
| Particle size (μm) | L 5.15 | L 9.72 |
| D 0.27 | D 0.51 | |
| Powder resistivity1) (Ω・cm) | 10 ~ 60 | 2 ~ 20 |
| Specific gravity | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Specific surface area2) (m²/g) | 2 ~ 8 | 5 ~ 9 |
| Oil absorption (g/100g) | 50 ~ 70 | 35 ~ 55 |
| Color in linseed oil; L value3) | 82 ~ 86 | 72 ~ 78 |
1) 9.8MPa compressed powder 2) BET method 3) Measurement example
