An investigation on mechanical, electrical, and rheological characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW)-EPDM/PP blends-based conductive thermoplastic vulcanizates (CTPVs)

A new generation conductive thermoplastic vulcanizates (CTPVs) have been developed and characterized in detail, which is based on ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW)-EPDM rubber combined with conductive carbon black (CCB) filler. The influence of incorporation of CCB filler in the CTPV matrix on various relevant properties has been studied thoroughly. Physico-mechanical properties indicate a significant improvement in the tensile strength, modulus, crosslink density, and tear strength together with quite good flexibility of the CTPVs. Rheological properties depict excellent processability and material strength (storage-modulus and complex-modulus), and stress relaxation shows a higher relaxation time of the CTPVs over the pristine-TPV. Morphology study (AFM, FESEM, and TEM) reveals very well dispersion of the CCB-filler and droplet type dispersed morphology has been achieved. The study of the electrical properties demonstrates that fair AC conductivity can be achieved for high filler loading. AC impedance analysis also proves the improvement for CTPVs over the pristine TPV. It is well described that due to the incorporation of the CCB-filler, all the properties are improved, and from some of the results amount of CCB-filler can also be optimized. UHMW-EPDM/PP-based conductive TPVs (CTPVs) can be potentially used as a sensitive stretchable conductor for various applications.