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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184572
Title: MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF THERMOPLASTIC STARCH COMPOSITES USING CARBON BLACK AS A CONDUCTIVE FILLER

Author
item Finkenstadt, Victoria
item Willett, Julious

Submitted to: UJNR Food & Agricultural Panel Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/21/2005
Publication Date: 10/23/2005
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L., Willett, J.L. 2005. Mechanical and electrical properties of thermoplastic starch composites using carbon black as a conductive filler [abstract]. Proceedings of UJNR Food & Agricultural Panel. p.106.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Thermoplastic starch was blended with carbon black to form an electroactive polymer composite. Thermoplastic starch is naturally insulative, and the electroactive polymer composite takes advantage of the conductive pathways formed through the percolation of conductive particles through the polymer matrix. The polymer is filled up to 40% w/w with carbon black. Tensile strength and modulus increase and the elongation decreases with increasing carbon black concentration. The conductance increases 10-fold at 20% w/w carbon black content. Above the percolation threshold, the mechanical properties of the carbon-thermoplastic starch composite overwhelm the conductive pathways.