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Thermally induced performance decay in conductive polymer composites
Author(s) -
Hou Yan Hui,
Zhang Ming Qiu,
Rong Min Zhi
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20021
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , electrical conductor , service life , composite number , polymer , degradation (telecommunications) , temperature coefficient , electrode , electrical resistivity and conductivity , temperature cycling , thermal , electrical engineering , chemistry , engineering , physics , meteorology
Abstract In the course of long‐term service, electrically conductive polymer composites acting as positive temperature coefficient (PTC) materials are faced with performance decay characterized by gradually increased room temperature resistivity and decreased PTC intensity. To reveal the influencing factors and to find appropriate ways for solving the problems, thermal‐cold cycling experiments (which simulate the extreme operating conditions of PTC type materials in a laboratory environment) and electrification tests are carried out in the current work. The results demonstrate that irreversible damage of partial conductive networks and, in particular, oxidation degradation induced crystallizability deterioration of the matrix polymer are responsible for the electrical performance decay. Additionally, an increase in the contact resistance formed at the metallic electrode/composite contacts exerts a negative influence on the service life of the composites. Polym. Compos. 25:270–279, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.