Simulation of Electrical Resistivity of Carbon Black Filled Rubber under Elongation

• Published in: Journal of macromolecular science. Physics 2007-05, Vol.46 (3), p.561-567
• Main Authors: Xie, Zhimin, Yum, Young-Jin, Lee, Chul-Kyoung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon black; carbon black network; circuit; Composites; Electrical resistivity; Elongation; Exact sciences and technology; filled rubber; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; resistivity; Rubber; Simulation; Technology of polymers; tunneling conduction mechanism
• ISSN: 0022-2348; 1525-609X
• DOI: 10.1080/00222340701257893

It has been known that the carbon black (CB) network is responsible for the electrical and mechanical behaviors of filled rubber. Due to the complexity involved in the filled rubber in relation to the conductive mechanism of the CB network, there has been little work concerned with simulation of the electrical behavior at large strains. Based upon an infinite circuit model, the electrical resistivity of CB filled rubber under elongation is simulated. For CB (N330) filled natural rubber with volume fraction of 27.5%, the simulated electrical resistivity increases with elongation at small stains, corresponding to the breakup of the agglomerates. The reduction in resistivity at larger strains corresponds to the decrease of the junction width, which results in a decrease of the contact resistance. Good agreement is found between the simulations and the experimental data available in the literature. The simulated results confirm the effects of the breakdown of the CB network and the alignment of CB aggregates under strain on the electrical resistivity.