Electrical conductivity and tensile properties of carbon nanotube reinforced styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, nanocomposites based on styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were produced using twin-screw extrusion. Two types of pre-mixing methods were applied to assess the dispersion-ability of the MWCNT. In Method A, the SEBS, MWCNT, and paraffinic process oil were mixed together in one step and fed simultaneously into the hopper for melt extrusion. In Method B, the MWCNT were first mixed with paraffinic process oil before being added to SEBS. The dispersion of MWCNT in SEBS TPE was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The effects of the MWCNT on the electrical resistivity and tensile properties of the SEBS TPE were determined. A balance of tensile properties and electrical properties can be achieved by adding 3 wt% MWCNT into SEBS TPE, especially using Method B. Pre-mixing of MWCNT with paraffinic process oil promotes better dispersibility, higher electrical conductivity, and better tensile properties.