Polymers and Polymer Composites

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES AND CRYSTALLISATION BEHAVIOUR OF POLYPROPYLENE/CARBON BLACK COMPOSITES

April 1, 2006 By: Ying Li; Shifeng Wang; Yong Zhang; Yinxi Zhang Research article

Title: ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES AND CRYSTALLISATION BEHAVIOUR OF POLYPROPYLENE/CARBON BLACK COMPOSITES
Page Range: p.377-390
Author(s): Ying Li; Shifeng Wang; Yong Zhang; Yinxi Zhang
File size: 320K
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 14
Issue No: No. 4

Abstract
The electrical properties and crystallisation behaviour were investigated for four different kinds of carbon black filled PP composites, prepared by the melt mixing method. All showed typical characteristics of percolation but noticeably different percolation thresholds. When using carbon black with a higher structure, smaller particle diameter and larger surface area, the composites showed better electrical conductivity and a lower percolation threshold. The crystallisation behaviour was studied using DSC. Non-isothermal crystallisation parameters showed that the carbon black particles were able to act as nucleating agents which accelerated the crystallisation rate. Isothermal crystallisation kinetics studies indicated that the crystallisation kinetic constant and the rate of crystallisation of the PP/carbon black composites were higher than those of PP. The values of the Avrami exponent indicated three-dimensional spherulitic growth in a spherical form. The free energy of chain folding for PP crystallisation of the carbon black reinforced PP composites was lower than that of PP itself, and decreased further with increasing carbon black content. 40 refs.


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