What does Nano Carbon really mean ?
The 3M Company, the global leader in adhesive technology, recently introduced a new breakthrough resin (two part epoxy) that uses nano-sized (ultra-microscopic) spheres of silica as a homogeneous, non-abrasive filler between the carbon fibers of a graphite rod blank, which results in a much stronger, more sensitive finished product. We've named our formulation of this new resin NSi (Nano Silica), and many rod manufacturers have begun to replace the use of standard "Flex Coat" type epoxy with the new 3M NSi resins.
So the term "Nano Carbon" that is thrown around so much these days refers to the "nano-silica" particles in 3M's Matrix Resin, which are uniformly distributed and densely packed in the resin that binds the individual graphite fibers, which reinforces them during compression when the rod is flexed. This significantly increases the fibers' compression strength by resisting micro-buckling - for improved hoop and flex strength of the blank. The result is a 30% (or more) stronger blank without any change in the weight, action or power of the finished rod.
The nano-silica filler also improves the resin's adhesive bond between the carbon fibers, which increases the internal shear strength of the rod blank while further improving the flex strength. Almost twice as hard as conventional resins when fully cured, our tests reveal that rods manufactured with 3M's new Matrix Resin show both an increase in modulus for improved sensitivity, and a significant increase in fracture resistance and overall blank toughness.
The end results are astonishing. Rods built with 3M™ Matrix Resin are stronger, more durable and tougher - with significantly improved hoop/flex strength and resistance to fracture. All without an increase in weight or a change in the rod's action or power.
In fact the new NSi resins tend to be slightly lighter than currently accepted standards. The only seen downside to the NSi resins is the high cost as to compared to tradition product.