Effect of processing parameters on the surface resistivity of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

In this study, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) is melt‐mixed with multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). To realize full‐scale application of MWCNT to the rubber industries, the effect of melt‐processing parameters on the surface resistivity in the rubber/MWCNT nanocomposites should be well understood. The effect of rotor speed, mixing temperature, and annealing time on the surface resistivity of the EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites has been investigated. The surface resistivity of EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites with 3 phr MWCNT increases with increasing the rotor speed and decreasing the mixing temperature. Tensile strength and tensile modulus of EPDM/MWCNT (3 phr) nanocomposites are higher than those of EPDM, respectively. For the nanocomposite with 3 phr MWCNT loadings, surface resistivity increases as the annealing time at room temperature increases. This is the first report that surface resistivity of rubber/MWCNT nanocomposites increases significantly on annealing at room temperature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40129.