Investigation of Conductivity, Rheological and Morphological Properties of High Density Polyethelene Filled with Carbon Black

In this research, high density polyethylene and carbon black was used as a polymer substrate and conductive filler, respectively. Carbon black-filled polyethylene composites were prepared using an internal mixer. The conductivity of the mixture in different weight percentages of carbon black was investigated, and it was observed that by increasing the weight fraction of carbon black to 15%, the conductivity increased to 1.42×10-3. The Percolation threshold was followed between 5-10% by weight. To analyze the rheological behavior of the mixture, parameters such as storage modulus, loss modulus and loss coefficient were used. With the increase of carbon black content, the storage modulus increased, which could be related to the elastic part of the system. The loss modulus, which represents the viscous part of the system, increased with increasing carbon black content. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to obtain direct information about the conductive network formed by carbon black. The images showed that the carbon black in the matrix bed is composed of a pervasive network of fine aggregates.