Studies on poly(vinyl chloride)‐copper composites. Part 1: State of segregation of filler particles, electrical and mechanical properties in presence of plasticizer and stabilizer

The presence of additives influences the state of segregation of filler particles in the polymer matrix which in turn controls the electrical and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)‐copper composites. The liquid plasticizer seems to form a coating on the filler surface which introduces quasirandomness in the segregated network. In accordance with the mathematical model proposed earlier, the strength properties were found to be proportional to d m −½ where d m is the mean free path between the filler particles. Calculations of d m were based on two different models, one for segregated network (unplasticized and low plasticized composites) and the other for quasi‐random distribution of filler particles (plasticized composites). Extruded samples in general show more randomness in the filler distribution than the compression molded samples.