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Electrical, rheological and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon nanotube composites
Author(s) -
Ramôa Sílvia DAS,
Barra Guilherme MO,
Oliveira Ricardo VB,
de Oliveira Márcia G,
Cossa Mateus,
Soares Bluma G
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.4446
Subject(s) - materials science , thermoplastic polyurethane , composite material , percolation threshold , carbon nanotube , electromagnetic shielding , electrical conductor , electrical resistivity and conductivity , carbon black , nanocomposite , polyurethane , elastomer , natural rubber , engineering , electrical engineering
Electrically conducting rubbery composites based on thermoplastic polyurethane ( TPU ) and carbon nanotubes ( CNTs ) were prepared through melt blending using a torque rheometer equipped with a mixing chamber. The electrical conductivity, morphology, rheological properties and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness ( EMI SE ) of the TPU / CNT composites were evaluated and also compared with those of carbon black ( CB )‐filled TPU composites prepared under the same processing conditions. For both polymer systems, the insulator–conductor transition was very sharp and the electrical percolation threshold at room temperature was at CNT and CB contents of about 1.0 and 1.7 wt%, respectively. The EMI SE over the X‐band frequency range (8–12 GHz ) for TPU / CNT and TPU / CB composites was investigated as a function of filler content. EMI SE and electrical conductivity increased with increasing amount of conductive filler, due to the formation of conductive pathways in the TPU matrix. TPU / CNT composites displayed higher electrical conductivity and EMI SE than TPU / CB composites with similar conductive filler content. EMI SE values found for TPU / CNT and TPU / CB composites containing 10 and 15 wt% conductive fillers, respectively, were in the range −22 to −20 dB , indicating that these composites are promising candidates for shielding applications. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry