Time–temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of high‐density polyethylene/carbon black composites

Several carbon blacks with surface areas from 105 to 1353 m 2 /g were used to produce composites through melt compounding with a high‐density polyethylene matrix. The electrical behavior of the obtained composites was investigated by the measurement of their resistivity as a function of the carbon black content and type at various temperatures and times during isothermal annealing treatments. The percolation threshold markedly decreased as the carbon black surface area increased, reaching a minimum value of 1.8 vol % for the carbon black with a surface area of 1353 m 2 /g. The resistivity passed through a maximum as the test temperature increased. Moreover, the analysis of the experimental data evidenced that the host high‐density polyethylene matrix and the conductive carbon black network rearranged during the isothermal thermal treatments, causing a resistivity decrease. This rearrangement became less and less important as the carbon black surface area increased.