Effect of Bi-containing superconducting ceramic on the volume resistivity of butyl rubber composites

The present paper describes the effect of Bi-containing superconducting ceramic on the volume resistivity of butyl rubber (IIR) composites. The microstructure of butyl rubber filled with different concentrations of superconductor was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of superconductor concentration, time, applied static pressure and temperature on the volume resistivity was investigated. The differences in volume resistivity-temperature dependencies with different filler levels under temperature increase and temperature decay were also measured. The effects observed are discussed from the viewpoint of ionic and electronic mechanisms of electrical conductivity in rubber-based composites. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.