Electrical conductivity and rheology of carbon fiber/liquid crystal polymer composites

摘要: One emerging market for electrically conductive resins is bipolar plates use in fuel cells. Adding carbon fillers to thermoplastic increases composite electrical conductivity and viscosity. Current technology often adds as much of a single type filler possible achieve the desired conductivity, while still allowing material be extruded molded into plate. In this study, varying amounts two different types polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based fiber (Fortafil 243 Panex 30) were added Vectra A950RX liquid crystal polymer. The resulting composites then tested rheological properties. followed behavior typically seen with percolation threshold at 5 vol% Fortafil 13 30. Viscosity increased increasing volume fraction all shear rates, but was more rapid composites. Over range rates studied, viscosity shear-thinning power law model power-law exponent (n – 1) = –0.5 neat A950RX. 30 had no effect on changed −0.6. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:168–174, 2007. © 2007 Society Plastics Engineers