Dielectric property and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of ethylene vinyl acetate‐based conductive composites: Effect of different type of carbon fillers

Carbon black, short carbon fiber (SCF), and multiwall carbon nano‐tube (MWNT)‐filled conductive composites were prepared from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The dielectric property and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of carbon black, MWNT, and SCF‐filled composites were studied with different filler loadings. The dielectric constant and loss of filled polymer composites is due to the formation of interfacial polarization in the polymer matrix. It was found that the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and EMI shielding of filled composites depends on amount and type of filler loading. The results of different experiments have been discussed in the light of break down and formation of continuous conductive network in polymer matrix. The results indicate that these composites can be used as effective EMI shielding materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

AC impedance analysis and EMI shielding effectiveness of conductive SBR composites

Flexible conductive polymer composites were prepared using styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) as a matrix and conductive carbon black as filler. The filler loading was varied from 10 to 60 phr. The complex AC impedance and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the composites were measured at the microwave frequencies of 7.8–12.4 GHz. The effect of variation in filler concentration and measurement frequency on the AC impedance and EMI SE of the composites were investigated. Equivalent circuits describing the conduction behavior of the composites were determined by means of Nyquist plots. The complex electric modulus of the composites was also determined. Increase in the filler loading increased the capacitive nature of the materials. The composites were better defined by a parallel resistor–capacitor circuit in series with a resistor. The EMI SE was found to pass through a maximum with increase in frequency. However, with the increase in filler loading and sample thickness of the material, the EMI SE was found to increase continuously. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:1342–1349, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Mechanical,electrical, and dielectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride/short carbon fiber composites with low‐electrical percolation threshold

In this investigation, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/short carbon fiber (SCF) composites have been prepared by solution casting technique to enhance electrical and dielectric properties with very low‐electrical percolation threshold (0.5 phr SCF). The effect of SCF content on mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the composites have also been investigated. The mechanical properties of the composites are found to reduce compared to neat PVDF due to poor polymer–filler interaction which can be concluded from FESEM micrographs showing poor bonding between PVDF and SCF. The PVDF/SCF composites exhibit either positive temperature coefficient effect of resistivity or negative temperature coefficient effect of resistivity depending on the loading of SCF in the polymer matrix. The change in conductivity during heating–cooling cycle for these composites shows electrical hysteresis along with electrical set. The melting point of the composites marginally increases with the increase in fiber loading in PVDF matrix as evidenced from DSC thermograms. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals the crystallinity of PVDF decreases with the increase in SCF loading in matrix polymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39866.     

Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of ethylene vinyl acetate based conductive composites containing carbon fillers

Conductive polymeric based composites were derived from ethylene vinyl acetate rubber filled with Vulcan XC‐72, short carbon fiber (SCF), and their blends. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE), return loss, and reflection coefficient were studied. The measurements of the SE of the composites were carried out in two different frequency ranges of 100–2000 MHz and 8–12 GHz (X band). It was observed that the SE of the composites was frequency dependent and it increased with increasing frequency. The increasing of filler loading also enhanced the SE of the composites. The 100% SCF filled composites showed a higher SE compared to that of the filler blend or purely carbon black filled composites. The correlation between the SE and bulk conductivity of various composites was also discussed. The compromise between EMI SE, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties was obtained when the composites contained both types of filler like particulate carbon black and SCF. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1601–1608, 2001     

Effect of titanate coupling agent on electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness and mechanical properties of PC–ABS–NCF composite

Nickel-coated carbon fibers (NCF) treated with a coupling agent (CA) have been used for preparing composites of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene (ABS) (90/10%) by melt blending. These composites have been evaluated for electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), mechanical properties, dispersion, and adhesion of the polymer to a filler using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). There is an improvement in the EMI SE, tensile strength, and impact strength of the composite when the carbon fiber is coupled with titanate CA. In loading NCF in composite, the optimum concentration of the CA Lica 38 used is about 2.0 phf combined with 1.5 phf calcium stearate (Ca.st.) (on the weight percentage of fillers); the composite can reach an SE of 50 dB by the coaxial transmission line test method.     

Thermal and morphological properties of high‐density polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer composites with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanostructure

The demand for improved properties of common polymers keeps increasing, and several new approaches have been investigated. In the study reported here, composites with a polymer matrix comprising a blend of high‐density polyethylene with ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), and with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as a nanostructure, were processed and characterized in terms of their thermal and morphological properties. For the preparation of the composites, the concentrations of the blend components (0, 50 and 100 wt%) and of the POSS (0, 1 and 5 wt%) were varied. X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the presence of EVA in the composites led to the appearance of crystalline domains at lower POSS concentrations. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed that samples with 1 wt% of POSS had a homogeneous distribution in the polymer matrix with average dimensions of ca 150 nm. However, the formation of aggregates occurred in samples with 5 wt% of POSS. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetic analyses indicated that the POSS did not affect the melt and degradation temperatures of the polymer matrix. POSS underwent aggregation at higher concentrations during the composite processing, indicating a solubility limit of around 1 wt%. The presence of EVA in the composite favors POSS aggregation due to an increase in the polarity of the polymer matrix. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

High electromagnetic interference shielding with high electrical conductivity through selective dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotube in poly (ε‐caprolactone)/MWCNT composites

This study presents the preparation of electrically conducting poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites with very low percolation threshold (p_c). The method involves solution blending of PCL and MWCNT in the presence of commercial PCL beads. The PCL beads were added into high viscous PCL/MWCNT mixture during evaporation of solvent. Here, the used commercial PCL polymer beads act as an ‘excluded volume’ in the solution blended PCL/MWCNT region. Thus, the effective concentration of the MWCNT dramatically increases in the solution blended region and a strong interconnected continuous conductive network path of CNT−CNT is assumed throughout the matrix phase with the addition of PCL bead which plays a crucial role to improve the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) and electrical conductivity at very low MWCNT loading. Thus, high EMI SE value (∼23.8 dB) was achieved at low MWCNT loading (1.8 wt %) in the presence of 70 wt % PCL bead and the high electrical conductivity of ∼2.49×10⁻² S cm⁻¹ was achieved at very low MWCNT loading (∼0.15 wt %) with 70 wt % PCL bead content in the composites. The electrical conductivity gradually increased with increasing the PCL bead concentration, as well as, MWCNT loading in the composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42161.     

Thermal characteristics of ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate/cellulose microfibers composites

Cellulose microfibers were obtained from Hibiscus sabadariffa by steam explosion technique. Structural and surface analysis of the microfibers showed a reduction in diameter and changes in surface morphology from that of raw fibers. The chemical composition of fibers showed increase in α‐cellulose content and decrease in lignin and hemicelluloses for the microfibers. These factors were further confirmed by XRD, SEM, and FTIR results. The CMF were introduced to EVA at different loading by melt extrusion. The composites were analyzed for their thermal stability and phase transition using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TGA analysis of the composites showed increased onset temperatures for composites compared with pure EVA indicating the superior thermal stability of the composites with fiber loading. DSC analysis shows increase in melting enthalpy and percentage crystallinity with fiber loading increases. Kinetic parameter for the degradation of the composites was obtained using Broido, Coats–Redfern, and Horowitz‐Metzger methods. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of the particle size of expandable graphite on the thermal stability,flammability, and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl‐acetate/expandable graphite composites

In this article, high‐density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl‐acetate copolymer (HDPE/EVA) composites filled with two different particle sizes (45 and 150 µm) of expandable graphite (EG) were prepared by using a twin‐screw extruder. The thermal stability, flammability, and mechanical properties of HDPE/EVA/EG composites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimeter test (CCT), tensile test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results from TGA and CCT indicated that EG significantly enhanced the thermal stability and fire resistance of HDPE/EVA blend. The thermal stability and flame retardancy of HDPE/EVA/EG composites were improved with decreasing particle size of EG. Although the onset of weight loss of the flame‐retardant composites occurred at a lower temperature than that of HDPE/EVA blend, the flame‐retardant composites produced a large amount of char residue at a high temperature. The consolidated char layer formed a barrier, which could reduce heat, low‐molecular transfer, and air incursion, and thus enhanced the flame retardancy. The data from the tensile test showed that the addition of EG deteriorated the mechanical properties; however, the tensile stress and strain of HDPE/EVA/EG composites increased with decreasing the particle size of EG owing to the strong interface adhesion between polymer matrix and inorganic particles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1162–1169, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Microwave dielectric properties and EMI shielding effectiveness of poly(styrene‐b‐styrene‐ butadiene‐styrene) copolymer filled with PAni.Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and carbon black

Conducting composites of polyaniline doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (PAni.DBSA), carbon black (CB) and poly(styrene‐b‐styrene‐butadiene‐b‐styrene) (STF) as supporting matrix were prepared by in situ polymerization. The influence of components and composition (% w/w) on the electromagnetic properties (dielectric constant ε′ and the dielectric loss ε″) and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI‐SE) of the materials were evaluated with a waveguide, using a microwave network analyzer from 8.2 to 12.4 GHz (X‐band). It was found that CB presence generates adverse effects on PAni.DBSA yield during synthesis, as it can be seen by X‐ray diffraction and TGA analyses. The type of PAni.DBSA formed modifies the composites properties. Dielectric constant, loss factor, and EMI shielding increase with conductive filler loading. Both the fillers, individually and in combination, increase the properties; however, the effect is not additive in nature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:2041–2048, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on the structure and properties of conductive silicone rubber filled with nickel‐coated graphite

In this study, the conductive silicone rubber composites filled with nickel‐coated graphite (NCG) have been prepared, and their morphology structure, electrical conductivity, electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE), and mechanical properties have been investigated with reference to the NCG filler loading. The mechanical strength of NCG particle was poor that it can be easily ground into smaller particle during the mixing process if the shear force during mixing is large enough. The electrical conductivity of the composites existed an obvious threshold value with the variation of the loading amount of the conductive filler. EMI SE of the composites increases with the decrease of the volume electrical resistivity. The Payne effect can be used to characterize the intensity of the three‐dimensional conductive network structure in silicone rubber matrix, and the difference of storage modulus in the low and high shear strain has good linear correlation with the electrical conductivity. So, the electrical conductivity and EMI SE can be estimated by means of the difference of storage modulus obtained from rubber process analysis test. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Electrical, morphological and rheological properties of carbon nanotube composites with polyethylene and poly(phenylene sulfide) by melt mixing

Electrical, morphological and rheological properties of polyethylene (PE)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS)/MWCNT composites were studied with the MWCNT content using vector network analyzer, scanning electron microscopy and rotational rheometry. From the results of electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of the PE/MWCNT and PPS/MWCNT composites, the electrical percolation threshold of the composites has found to be 5 and 3 wt% MWCNT, respectively. From the results of the EMI SE of the composites, it was suggested that the increase in homogeneous dispersion of the MWCNT in the PPS matrix has been attributed to the increase in connectivity of the MWCNT-MWCNT network structure of the composite. Therefore, the higher values of the EMI SE with the MWCNT content were observed in the PPS/MWCNT than the PE/MWCNT composites. From the results of the rheological properties of the PE/MWCNT and PPS/MWCNT composites, the increase in the complex viscosity was observed for the PPS/MWCNT than the PE/MWCNT composites. The increase in complex viscosity maybe due to the increase in homogeneous dispersion of the MWCNT in the PPS matrix than that in the PE matrix. From the results of the rheological properties of the PE/MWCNT and PPS/MWCNT composites, it was suggested that the homogeneous dispersion of the MWCNT in the polymer matrix has affected the increase in complex viscosity of the PPS/MWCNT composite. This result of rheological behavior is consistent with the results of the EMI SE of the PE/MWCNT and PPS/MWCNT composites.     

Fabrication,characterization, and properties of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate)/magnetite nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA)/magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanocomposite was prepared with different loading of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The mixing and compounding were carried out on a two‐roll mixing mill and the sheets were prepared in a compression‐molding machine. The effect of loading of nanoparticles in EVA was investigated thoroughly by different characterization technique such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and technological properties. TEM analysis showed the uniform dispersion of filler in the polymer matrix and the dispersion of filler decreased with increase in filler content. XRD of the nanocomposite revealed the more ordered structure of the polymer chain. An appreciable increase in glass transition temperature was observed owing to the restricted mobility of Fe₃O₄‐filled EVA nanocomposite. TGA and flame resistance studies indicated that the composites attain better thermal and flame resistance than EVA owing to the interaction of filler and polymer segments. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear resistance, and modulus were increased for composites up to 7 phr of filler, which is presumably owing to aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle at higher loading. The presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the polymer matrix reduced the elongation at break and impact strength while improved hardness of the composite than unfilled EVA. The change in technological properties had been correlated with the variation of polymer–filler interaction estimated from the swelling behavior. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40116.     

Effect of double percolation on the electrical properties and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon‐black‐loaded polystyrene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends

In this study, the concept of double percolation and selective location of a conducting additive was used to develop conducting polymer composites composed of polystyrene (PS) and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) filled with carbon black (CB). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy suggested that the CB was preferentially located in the EVA phase. By combining a cocontinuous morphology and selective location of CB in the EVA phase, we achieved the highest conductivity values and better electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness in the X‐band frequency range for the 70:30 w/w PS/EVA blend. Electromagnetic attenuation occurred by both reflection and absorption mechanisms, although the first was predominant for composites with a higher amount of CB. The percolation thresholds of the PS, EVA, and 70:30 w/w PS/EVA blend loaded with CB were estimated from the dependence of the alternating‐current and direct‐current conductivities. The rheological properties were also used to relate the electrical behavior to the microstructure of the composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43013.     

Mechanical and thermophysical properties of EVA copolymer filled with nickel particles

Complex physical behavior of ethylene‐vinylacetate (EVA)/nickel composites was investigated in this article. The presence of Ni in EVA matrix leads to an increase of surface hydrophilicity. The peel strength of adhesive joints of EVA/nickel composites to aluminum is sharply increased up to 10 vol% of Ni, followed by a subsequent decrease. The investigated composites are highly elastic and deformable. Young's modulus of composites increases steeply only for concentrations up to 15 vol%. The thermal conductivity of composites significantly increases by the presence of nickel. An interesting correlation between thermal conductivity and relative permittivity of composites was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The effects of MWCNT length on the mechanical,crystallization and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of PP/MWCNT composites

The length of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has an important influence on the properties of polymer/MWCNT composites. This study aims to examine the influence of the length of MWCNT on the mechanical properties, distribution, melting and crystallization behavior, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of PP/MWCNT composites. The test results show that MWCNT of a short length contribute to better mechanical properties and have a better dispersion in the matrix. MWCNT also serve as a nucleating agent for PP, thereby increasing the crystallization temperature (T_c). In particular, short MWCNT provide PP/MWCNT composites with a greater degree of cyrstallinity. The conjunction of 8 wt% long MWCNT in PP/MWCNT composites results in an optimal electrical resistivity of 65.02 Ω-cm, and an average EMI SE of ?29.47 dB. The polymer/MWCNT composites have properties that can be adjusted by using different lengths of MWCNT, which is advantageous for application in diverse products.     

Influence of varying fiber lengths on mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties of MA‐g‐PP compatibilized and chemically modified short pineapple leaf fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

Environmentally benign, low cost and abundantly available short pineapple leaf fibers (PALF), found mostly in the Tropical rain forest climates are ideal materials for manufacture of thermoplastic polymer‐matrix composites. Here, mechanical and thermal properties of composites of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA‐g‐PP) and chemically modified short PALF are studied as a function of different fiber lengths at 10 vol % fibers loading with fiber orientation in the longitudinal direction. The effects of fiber lengths and fiber loading on the morphological properties are assessed via observations by scanning electron microscopy. Fiber length of 6 mm oriented longitudinally at 10 vol % fibers loading in PP is the optimum and recommended composition, where 73% increase in impact properties, 37% increase in the flexural modulus, 33% increase in flexural strength, and 14% increase in vicat softening temperature are observed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Melt grafting of poly(ethylene‐vinyl acetate) copolymer with maleic anhydride

Poly(ethylene‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) copolymer was melt grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH) in a twin screw extruder in the presence of peroxide. It is confirmed that MAH has been melt grafted on the backbone of EVA by FTIR using the method of hydrolysis. The NMR analysis suggests that the grafting reaction occurs on the tertiary carbon of main chain of EVA other than the methyl moiety of vinyl acetate (VA) group. The incorporation of VA groups onto the matrix shows a competitive effect on the grafting. The existence of VA groups promotes the extent of MAH graft onto EVA; nevertheless, it also weakens the crystallizability of main chain. When the content of peroxide initiator is 0.1 wt % based on the polymer matrix, the grafting degree increases with increasing the concentration of monomer. When the peroxide content is higher than 0.1 wt %, side reactions such as crosslinking or disproportionation will be introduced into this system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 841–846, 2006     

Conducting carbon black filled NR/ IIR blend vulcanizates: Assessment of the dependence of physical and mechanical properties and electromagnetic interference shielding on variation of filler loading

A series of natural rubber/ butyle rubber NR/ IIR (70/30) loaded with general purpose furnace (GPF) carbon black have been produced on a laboratory scale, and their electrical and mechanical properties were investigated. The percolation threshold concentration has been described using Kirkpatrick and Zallen model. The percolation model gives a suitable explanation, within the experimental data of the studied samples. The thermal stability of composites was also investigated. It was found that the stability of high filler content blend was better than that of low filler content, due to strong polymer-filler interaction at high filler concentrations. Variation of mechanical properties of carbon black-filled compounds with the filler content was also investigated. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding characteristics of these composites were studied. The measurements of shielding effectiveness (SE) were carried out in different frequency ranges from 0.5–5 GHz and it increases with the increase in filler loading. SE values were in the range of 7–30 dB.     

Recycled milk pouch and virgin LDPE‐LLDPE‐based jute fiber composites

The present investigation deals with the thermo‐mechanical recycling of post consumer milk pouches (LDPE‐LLDPE blend) and its use as jute fiber composite materials for engineering applications. The mechanical, thermal, morphological, and dynamic‐mechanical properties of recycled milk pouch‐based jute fiber composites with different fiber contents were evaluated and compared with those of the virgin LDPE‐LLDPE/jute fiber composites. Effect of artificial weathering on mechanical properties of different formulated composites was determined. The recycled polymer‐based jute fiber composites showed inferior mechanical properties as well as poor thermal stability compared to those observed for virgin polymer/jute fiber composites. However, the jute‐composites made with (50:50) recycled milk pouch‐virgin LDPE‐LLDPE blend as polymer matrix indicated significantly superior properties in comparison to the recycled milk pouch/jute composites. Overall mechanical performances of the recycled and virgin polymeric composites were correlated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dynamic mechanical analysis showed that storage modulus values were lower for recycled LDPE‐LLDPE/jute composites compared to virgin LDPE‐LLDPE/jute composites throughout the entire temperature range, but an increase in the storage modulus was observed for recycled‐virgin LDPE‐LLDPE/jute composites. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:78–88, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers