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Effect of γ‐ray irradiation on morphology and electrical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/graphite composites
Author(s) -
Srivastava Nalin K.,
Rattan Sunita,
Mehra Ram M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.21366
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , vinyl chloride , graphite , electrical resistivity and conductivity , irradiation , composite number , scanning electron microscope , morphology (biology) , percolation threshold , percolation (cognitive psychology) , polymer , epoxy , copolymer , physics , neuroscience , biology , nuclear physics , electrical engineering , genetics , engineering
This article reports the effect of crosslinking by γ‐ray irradiation on the morphology, electrical properties, and hardness of poly(vinyl chloride)/graphite composite. A comparison of the scanning electron micrographs of the composites, before and after irradiation, showed that the filler particles were broken into pieces and distributed homogenously as a result of irradiation. The data of electrical conductivity versus graphite content was found to be consistent with the percolation model. A significant increase in the conductivity of composite was observed on the crosslinking of the polymer in consequence of irradiation. The data are correlated with the morphological changes. The study of electrical resistivity as a function of temperature revealed that the negative temperature coefficient of resistivity effect is considerably suppressed after irradiation. These results are explained on the basis of morphological changes in the composites after γ‐ray irradiation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers