AC conductivity and positive temperature coefficient effect in microcellular EPDM vulcanizates

Abstract Dielectric relaxation spectra of conductive carbon black reinforced microcellular EPDM vulcanizates were used to study their relaxation behavior in the frequency range of 0.01–10⁵ Hz over a wide range of temperature from 30 to 120°C. The effect of variation in filler loading and blowing agent loading (density) on dielectric characteristics such as impedance, dielectric constant, and conductivity has been studied. The experimental results show that the relative dielectric permittivity of the composites depends strongly on the extent of carbon black and blowing agent concentrations. The frequency dependence of AC conductivity has been investigated by using Percolation theory. The permittivity and conductivity of the microcellular composites have been analyzed based on scaling theory at increasing temperatures. The applicability of Lichtenecker‐Rother's “rule of mixture” to describe the complex permittivity of the composite has also been investigated. Irrespective of the blowing agent loading and temperature, the percolation threshold as studied by DC conductivity was found to be at 40 phr loading of the filler. Scanning electron microphotographs showed agglomeration of the filler above this concentration and formation of a continuous network structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers