Dynamic mechanical behavior of polymers containing carbon black

The dynamic mechanical behavior of carbon black filled polymers of styrene and butyl methacrylate was examined at low strain amplitude and frequency in order to minimize destruction of the composite structure and elucidate the basis of yield and plasticization observed in steady shear. For specific filled systems, both G′ and G″ became independent of frequency and temperature at low frequencies, consistent with a yield phenomenon and the formation of a carbon black network. On the other hand, although the high molecular weight polystyrene showed plasticization effects at higher shear rates in steady shear rheology, such, plasticization effects were never observed in dynamic mechanical analysts. Yield behavior was observed most readily for the low molecular weight polystyrene. Limiting moduli for filled polystyrenes were independent of temperature, whereas, for polybutyl methacrylate, were sensitive to temperature. It is suggested that an independent network of carbon black is strongest in the low molecular weight polystyrene and weakest in poly (butyl methacrylate).