Influence of specific mechanical energy during compounding in a co-kneader on electrical and rheological properties of multiscale composite materials

Abstract

This paper focuses on the effect of different scales of fillers, from nano to macrometer, on the rheological and electrical behaviour of thermoplastic-based composites. Composites based on poly (etherimide) matrix (PEI) with multiscale reinforcement are processed by melting in a co-kneader to disperse homogeneously carbon nanotubes and glass fibers. We clearly demonstrate the strong link between the liquid-solid transition and the electrical conductivity. We show that the specific mechanical energy is a key parameter. Glass fibers allow to increase the electrical conductivity of blends based on carbon nanotubes and to obtain a lower decreasing of conductivity at the liquid transition which takes place in the same time as rheological and electrical parameters.