Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube/Low Density Polyethylene Composites for Strain Sensing
| Periodical | Key Engineering Materials (Volume 495) |
|---|---|
| Main Theme | Materials and Applications for Sensors and Transducers |
| Edited by | E. Hristoforou and D.S. Vlachos |
| Pages | 33-36 |
| DOI | 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.495.33 |
| Citation | Radwa R. Abdel Chafy et al., 2011, Key Engineering Materials, 495, 33 |
| Online since | November, 2011 |
| Authors | Radwa R. Abdel Chafy, Mustafa H. Arafa, Amal M. K. Esawi |
| Keywords | Carbon Nanotube (CNT), Electrical Resistivity, Percolation Threshold, Polymer Composite, Strain Sensor |
| Price | US$ 28,- |
Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have shown remarkable electrical, piezoresistive properties as well as other physical properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of CNT-polymer composites in strain sensing using low density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer. Different CNT loadings were used (0, 1, 2, 3.5, 5, 6.5 and 8 weight %). CNT/LDPE composite films of 1mm thickness were fabricated using compression molding. The electrical resistance at no load condition was measured and the percolation behavior was obtained. The percolation threshold was found to be in the range of (2-5) wt%, where a decrease in resistivity by 5 orders of magnitude was observed. The sensitivity (gauge factor – GF) of the films was evaluated by correlating the strain applied with the simultaneously measured resistance. For a strain range of up to 320 µε, a gauge factor of 200 was achieved at a CNT loading of 5 wt%.
