Thermo‐electric behavior (PTC) of carbon black–containing PVDF/UHMWPE and PVDF/XL‐UHMWPE blends

This paper describes the structure and electrical performance of PTC/NTC (positive temperature coefficient/negative temperature coefficient) effects and their reproducibility upon healing/cooling cycles. The following three‐component blends were studied: PVDF/UHMWPE/CB, PVDF/XL‐UHMWPE/CB and γ‐irradiated compression molded plaques of these blends. Carbon black (CB) particles are attracted to the UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) and XL (cross‐linked)UHMWPE particles, which constitute the dispersed phase in the PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) matrix, but practically cannot or only very slightly penetrate them because of their extremely high viscosity. A double‐PTC effect was exhibited by all unirradiated samples. Irradiation of compression molded PVDF/UHMWPE/CB plaques does not add to their already outstanding reproducibility, and it results In a wide single‐PTC effect. Irradiation of compression molded PVDF/XL‐UHMV/PE/CB plaque, slabilizes their structure upon heating/cooling cycles and thus makes them reproducible PTC/NTC materials, still exhibiting a double‐PTC effect. The carbon black concentrations studied in this report are extremely low (< 2 phr CB) in comparison to other literature reports.