Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube/Low Density Polyethylene Composites for Strain Sensing

Radwa R. Abdel Chafy; Mustafa H. Arafa; Amal M. K. Esawi

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.495.33

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HomeKey Engineering MaterialsKey Engineering Materials Vol. 495Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube/Low Density...

Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube/Low Density Polyethylene Composites for Strain Sensing

Abstract:

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%.