Influence of injection molding parameters on electrical resistivity of carbon nanotube reinforced polycarbonate

Abstract

Electrical properties of plastic products can be adjusted by adding a certain amount of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the injection molding process. However, injection molding parameters should be arranged carefully due to their influence on electrical properties of CNT-reinforced plastic composites. In this study, polycarbonate/CNT nanocomposites, having three different CNT concentrations (1, 3 and 5 wt%), were produced and injection molded by using three different injection temperatures and speeds to investigate their influence on electrical resistivity. It was found that the electrical resistivity was influenced greatly by the injection temperature when 1 wt% amount of CNT was used in the nanocomposite. However, the effect of injection speed was negligible.

Dielectric Spectroscopy of PP/MWCNT Nanocomposites: Relationship with Crystalline Structure and Injection Molding Condition

“…This was also demonstrated for CNT-based nanocomposites [ 12 ]. Several studies have shown that the variation of the processing condition of injection-molded components, manufactured with CNT-based nanocomposites, can lead to drastic modification of the electrical conductivity, especially when the CNT content is in the range of the electrical percolation [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Villmow et al [ 16 ] studied injection-molded polycarbonate-based CNT nanocomposites, demonstrating that lowering the cooling rate and residence time seems to favor the attainment of higher electrical conductivity.…”

Near-Infrared Laser Direct Writing of Conductive Patterns on the Surface of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Nanocomposites

“…[18][19][20][21][22] Many methods to produce such nanocomposite materials can be listed. Among them, melt blending [23][24] offers a simple way of dispersing nanoparticles in a polymer matrix and it is now widely used in industries to manufacture polymer parts [25][26][27][28] . A weight percentage higher than the percolation threshold can be used to obtain electrically conductive materials.…”

“…Many methods to produce such nanocomposite materials can be listed. Among them, melt blending , offers a simple way of dispersing nanoparticles in a polymer matrix and it is now widely used in industries to manufacture polymer parts. − A weight percentage higher than the percolation threshold can be used to obtain electrically conductive materials. − For example, Seo et al , stated that once the percolation threshold is exceeded (between 1 and 2 wt %), the volume resistivity drops from 10 9 Ω cm to reach a value of 10 3 Ω cm.…”