Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Conductive Carbon Black Filled Epoxidized Natural Rubber

Abstract

Electrical and mechanical properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-25) filled with conductive carbon black (CCB) have been investigated. SEM was used to analyze dispersion of CCB particles in rubber matrix. The results indicated that the AC conductivity increase with increasing volume fraction of carbon black as well as frequency. The percolation thresholds of the electrical conductivity was found at 0.10 volume fraction of CCB. Furthermore, addition of CCB at volume fraction 0.05 caused the highest tensile strength of the composites. The tensile strength and elongation at break were decreased with increasing content of CCB greater than 0.05 volume fraction. However, the volume fraction of CCB at 0.10 demonstrated the most suitable proportion for the ENR composites with superior electrical and mechanical properties.