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Improvement of conductive network quality in carbon black‐filled polymer blends
Author(s) -
Hou Yan Hui,
Zhang Ming Qiu,
Rong Min Zhi,
Yu Gang,
Zeng Han Min
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.10574
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon black , composite material , temperature coefficient , ethylene vinyl acetate , annealing (glass) , low density polyethylene , polymer , electrical conductor , vinyl acetate , polyethylene , copolymer , natural rubber
Heat treatment of polymer‐based composites is critical for the enhancement of both stability and long‐term service life, especially when the materials function under an inconstant temperature environment. The present article discusses the effect of heat‐treatment conditions on the electrically conductive properties of carbon black (CB)‐filled low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) composites, which are candidates for positive temperature coefficient (PTC) materials. It was found that the dispersion mode of CB particles changes as a function of the matrix morphology. When the composites are irradiated to form crosslinked networks in the matrix for the elimination of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior, some of the produced free radicals are also entrapped for quite a long time after the irradiation treatment. These residual radicals further enhance the interaction between CB and the matrix and further induce the crosslinking of the matrix so that the composites' conductivity changes with time as a result of the continuous variation in the contacts between the conductive fillers. To improve the quality of the conduction paths in the composites, appropriate post‐heat treatment should be carried out, which speeds up the formation of the above‐mentioned two kinds of crosslinked structures within a limited time. Annealing at 75°C for more than 10 h is believed to be an effective way. After the treatment, a balanced performance characterized by reduced room‐temperature resistivity and improved PTC intensity was obtained. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2768–2775, 2002