Simulating the effective electric conductivity of polymer composites with high aspect ratio fillers

Nilsson F, Krückel J, Schubert DW, Chen F, Unge M, Gedde U, Hedenqvist M (2016)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Book Volume: 132

Pages Range: 16-23

DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2016.06.008

Abstract

Three simulation models have been developed for predicting the electrical conductivity and the electrical percolation threshold of field-grading polymer composites intended for high voltage applications. The three models are based on finite element modelling (FEM), percolation threshold modelling (PTM) and electrical networks modelling (ENM). A Monte Carlo algorithm was used to construct the geometries, with either soft-core (overlapping) or hard-core/soft-shell (non-overlapping) fibres. Conductivity measurements on carbon-fibre/PMMA composites with well-defined fibre aspect ratios were used for experimental validation. The average fibre orientations were calculated from scanning electron micrographs. The soft-core PTM model with experimental fibre orientations and without adjustable parameters gave accurate (R = 0.984) predictions of the electrical percolation threshold as a function of aspect ratio. The corresponding soft-core ENM model, with close-contact conductivity calculated with FEM, resulted in good conductivity predictions for the longest fibres, still without the use of any adjustable parameters. The hard-core/soft-shell versions of the models, using the shell thickness as an adjustable parameter, gave similar but slightly poorer results.

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APA:

Nilsson, F., Krückel, J., Schubert, D.W., Chen, F., Unge, M., Gedde, U., & Hedenqvist, M. (2016). Simulating the effective electric conductivity of polymer composites with high aspect ratio fillers. Composites Science and Technology, 132, 16-23. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2016.06.008

MLA:

Nilsson, Fritjof, et al. "Simulating the effective electric conductivity of polymer composites with high aspect ratio fillers." Composites Science and Technology 132 (2016): 16-23.

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