High electrical conductivity and elastic modulus composites comprising glass fiber-reinforced carbon-filled high-density polyethylene

Electrically conductive composites with very low percolation threshold values and high elastic modulus have been developed using single-screw extruder from short E-glass fiber (GF) reinforced carbon black (CB) filled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The percolation threshold values of composites decreased with increased content of GF. The elastic modulus, tensile strength, and impact strength of composites were improved after addition of GF into CB/PE (PE, polyethylene). Three coupling agents, namely glycidyl methacrylate-grafted ethylene copolymer, maleic anhydride-grafted PE, and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene were used to study the effect on the conductivity and mechanical properties of GF/CB/PE composites. The tensile strength and modulus of composites increased after addition of coupling agent, meanwhile the conductivity of composites were decreased. The interface strength between GF and PE was improved after addition of coupling agent. The images of scanning electronic microscope showed that coupling agent improved the bonding between GF and matrix in an effective manner.