Investigation of the influence of carbon black on the rheology and electromechanical properties of ethylene butene copolymer

Abstract

In this scientific article, the potential of producing a highly capable sensor by the addition of electric conductive carbon black (CB) to polymer composite was studied, and the effects of various carbon black content on ethylene-butene copolymer (EBC) on rheological and electromechanical were investigated. Electric conductive composites have many attempts at producing original material in technology as a sensor. The amount of (0, 4.07, 6.31, 8.71, and 11.28) volume % of CB was introduced to EBC using Brabender, mixed, and homogenized for 5 min at 180 °C. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and electromechanical test show that the addition of CB to the EBC would increase the viscosity, modulus, while electric resistance significantly decreased and changed greatly with elongation. The modulus increased from 8.9 to 15 MPa by increase of from 15 to 25 wt% of CB while the gauge factor decreases for about five times by increasing the CB from 15 to 25 wt% under 5 N force. These works demonstrate the possibility of producing strain sensors using a cheap and versatile technique, with potential health and electromechanical sensors. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd