Tensile and conductivity properties of epoxy composites containing carbon black and graphene nanoplatelets

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2018

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2018. Adding conductive fillers to an insulating polymer matrix produces composites with unique properties. Varying amounts of carbon black (0.33, 0.67, and 1 wt%) and graphene nanoplatelets (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were added to epoxy. In addition, a few carbon black/graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy formulations were also fabricated. The conductivity and tensile properties were determined and analyzed. The single filler composites containing 5 and 10 wt% graphene nanoplatelet and 0.33 wt% carbon black could be used for electrically insulating applications. Composites containing 15 and 20 wt% graphene nanoplatelet could be used for static dissipative applications. The following composites could be used for semi-conductive applications: 0.67 wt% carbon black/epoxy, 1 wt% carbon black/epoxy, 0.33 wt% carbon black/5 wt% graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy, and 0.33 wt% carbon black/10 wt% graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy. At the 95% confidence level, the combination of 0.33 wt% carbon black with 5 wt% graphene nanoplatelet caused the composite electrical resistivity (1/electrical conductivity) to significantly decrease from ∼1015 ohm-cm to ∼104 ohm-cm. It is likely that the highly branched, high surface area carbon black is forming an electrically conductive network with graphene nanoplatelets. Concerning single filler composites, adding ≤1 wt% carbon black did not significantly lower the composite tensile strain; however, adding graphene nanoplatelet did decrease tensile strain and increase modulus. One possible application for the 10 wt% graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy composite is in Polymer Core Composite Conductors for power transmission lines, which need to be electrically insulating, have improved thermal conductivity (increased from 0.2 to 0.3 W/m-K), increased tensile modulus (increased from 2.7 to 3.3 GPa), and good tensile strength (70 MPa) and strain (3.3%).

Publication Title

Journal of Composite Materials

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