Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Conducting composite materials based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) compounded with conductive fillers, i.e. carbon black and aluminium flakes were prepared. The effectiveness of such composite materials with regard to shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) was studied, and the relationships among electrical conductivity, processability and mechanical properties were explored. Effects of modifying the filler surface with coupling agents on various properties were also investigated.

Results show that the threshold for conductivity is about 5 vol% (20wt%) of conductive carbon black or 5 – 10 vol% (20–40wt%) of Al-flake in composites. The most optimised shielding effectiveness reaching 25dB and 30 dB when the ABS matrix contains 20 wt% of carbon black or 40 wt% of Al-flake. This performance is comparable with that of 1 mm thickness of copper sheet, or that of nickel coating. In addition, both mechanical and rheological properties of the conductive composites were studied.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Evans

, “New role for conductive rubbers and plastics”, Materials & Design, Vol. 5, Feb.-Mar. 1984, p. 43.

Holbrook

A.L.

, “Aluminium flake filled conductive plastics for EMI shielding and thermal conductivity”, The International Joumal of Powder Metallurgy, Vol. 22, No. 1, 1986, p. 40.

Aoba

and Iwase

, “Metal fiber filled EMI shielding material” Japan Plastics Age, May-June 1985, p. 28.

Larggace

A.P.

, “Markets and applications for conductive plastics”, International Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 13, No. 9, 1986, p. 12.

Kiesche

, “Conductive composites find their niche”, Plastics Technology, Vol. 31, No. 11, Nov. 1985, p. 77–81.

Bigg

D.M.

, “Mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of metal fiber-filled polymer composites”, Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 19, No. 16, Dec. 1979, p. 1188–1192.

Kortschot

M.T.

and Woodhams

R.T.

, “Electromagnetic interference shielding with nickel-coated mica composites”, Polymer Composites, Vol. 6, No. 4, Oct. 1985, p. 296.

Curry

and Farrell

, “Care and feeding of high aspect ratio EMI fillers”, Plastics Engineering, Vol. 32, No. 5, May 1986, p. 39.

Crossman

R. A.

, “Conductive composites past, present, and future”, Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 25, No. 8, Mid-June, 1985, p. 507–513.

10.

Travis

J.E.

, “Thermoplastic composites for electrostatic dissipation and EMI attenuation”, 39th Annual Technical Conference, Reinforced Plastics/Composites, Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., Jan. 1984, p. 16–19.

11.

Sommers

D.J.

, “Carbon black for electrically conductive plastics”, 39th Annual Technical Conference, Society of Plastics Engineerings, 1981, p. 86.

12.

Lahdawala

and Salovery

, “Rheology of polymers containing carbon black”, Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 27, No. 14, Mid-Aug. 1987, p. 1035.

13.

Martinsson

and White

J.L.

, “Characteristic of thermoplastics containing electrically conducting asymmetric particles: anisotropic electrical conductivity of injection molded parts and extrusion behavior”, Polymer Composites, Vol. 7, No. 5, 14, Oct. 1986, p. 302–314.

14.

Nielsen

L.E.

, “Mechanical properties of polymers and composites”, Marcel Dekker, New York, N.Y., Vol. 2, 1974, p. 414.

The Processability,Electrical and Mechanical Properties of EMI Shielding ABS Composites

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References