The Influence of Compounding Parameters on the Electrical Conductivity of LDPE/Cu Conductive Polymer Composites (CPCs)

Abstract

Abstract Low-linear density (LDPE) and copper (Cu) were used as main polymer matrix and conductive filler in order to produce electrically conductive polymer composites (CPC). The selection of the matrix and conductive filler were based on their due to its excellence properties, resistance to corrosion, low cost and electrically conductive. This research works is aimed to establish the effect of compounding parameter on the electrical conductivity of LDPE/Cu composites utilising the design of experiments (DOE). The CPCs was compounded using an internal mixer where all formulations were designed by statistical software. The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed that the Cu conductive filler had a flake-like shape, and the electrical conductivity was found to be increased with increasing filler loading as measured using the four-point probe technique. The conductivity data obtained were then analysed by using the statistical software to establish the relationship between the compounding parameters and electrical conductivity where it was found based that the compounding parameters have had an effect on the conductivity of the CPC.