Influence of Different Carbon-Based Fillers on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of a PC/ABS Blend

Abstract

The present work examines the influence of different carbon-based fillers on the performance of electrically conductive polymer blend composites. More specifically, we examined and compared the effects of graphene (GR), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) on a PC/ABS matrix by morphological investigation, electrical and physic-mechanical characterization. Electrical analyses showed volume resistivity decreased when the CNTs and CB content were increased, although the use of melt-mixed GR did not really influence this property. For the latter, solution blending was found to be more suitable to obtain better GR dispersion, and it obtained electrical percolation with a graphene content ranging from 0.5% to 1% by weight, depending on the solvent removal method that was applied. There was a gradual improvement in all of the composites’ dielectric properties, in terms of loss factor, with temperature and the concentration of the filler. As expected, the use of rigid fillers increased the composite stiffness, which is reflected in a continuous increment in the composites’ modulus of elasticity. The improvements in tensile strength and modulus were coupled with a reduction in impact strength, indicating a decrease in polymer toughness and flexibility. TEM micrographs allowed us to confirm previous results from studies on filler dispersion. According to this study and the comparison of the three carbon-based fillers, CNTs are the best filler choice in terms of electrical and mechanical performance.

Electrical, rheological, and mechanical properties copolymer/carbon black composites

“…As is widely described in the literature, the addition of CB increases the stiffness of thermoplastic composites, as their particles act as “physical cross‐links” that stabilize and improve the properties of elastomers. [ 48,59 ] The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the films were affected by the incorporation of CB. Huang and Wu [ 15 ] investigated the processability, mechanical, and electrical properties of poly(ethylene‐vinyl acetate) composites with different melt flow indexes (MFIs) and VA content mixed with carbon black.…”

Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Polyamide-Based Nanocomposites Containing Graphene Oxide Sheets Decorated with Compatible Polymer Brushes

“…Due to the fact that the addition of carbon materials often reduces the impact strength of composites, a Charpy impact test was performed [ 44 ]. Importantly.…”

“…with the matrix, as the yield point elongation as well as elongation at break decreased significantly with respect to the pristine PA6 and PA6/GO_PAAM (Table 1 and Table S2 in supplementary materials). Due to the fact that the addition of carbon materials often reduces the impact strength of composites, a Charpy impact test was performed [44]. Importantly.…”

Superhydrophobic, Elastic, and Conducting Polyurethane-Carbon Nanotube–Silane–Aerogel Composite Microfiber

“…As the CNT content increased to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 wt%, the stress values decreased to 73.7, 61.1, 56.7, 30.6, and 25.1 MPa, respectively, and the strain values also decreased to 400, 309, 278, 189, and 155%. The addition of powder or particles to a flexible polymer typically leads to decreased flexibility in the microfibers by inhibiting the interaction between polymer chains [ 31 , 32 ]. To ameliorate this problem, it is necessary to add another material to the composite.…”