Positive temperature coefficient effects of carbon blackfilled polytetrafluoroethylene composites

Abstract

Carbon black (CB)-filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites were prepared by compact molding of a dry-mixture of CB and polymer powders followed by a sintering technology. The composites show a very low percolation threshold about 5 vol. %, which can be attributed to the segregated distribution of CB in the interfacial regions of PTFE particles. The PTFE/CB composites exhibit a high PTC transition temperature (>300 0 C), high PTC intensity (3.5) and no NTC effects. The absence of NTC effect of the composites was attributed to the extremely high viscosity of PTFE at temperatures above its melting point, which restricts the migration of CB particles and prevents the formation of new conductive networks.