The study of electrical conductivity of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) reinforced carbon black blends

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is a synthetic engineering resin that is widely used worldwide in various industries. ABS is known for its physical properties and capable to become electrical conductor. Naturally, ABS exist as insulating behavior thus carbon black (CB) were introduced into ABS matrix to change its behavior from insulation to conducting behavior. Electrical conductivity of ABS reinforced carbon black blends was study. Electrical conductivity of ABS reinforced CB blends will be determined by taking the weight percent (wt%) content of carbon black at various ranging from 10 wt% to 50 wt%. Besides that, effect of temperature on electrical conductivity were also investigated. Various temperature ranging from room temperature to 100⁰c were used. Increasing CB content in the blends will increase conductivity. ABS and CB were blend together by using internal mixer. Prior to mixing, ABS will be dried first for three hours in an oven to remove any moisture content. Lastly, to investigate the conductivity of the ABS reinforced CB blends, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy were used. At 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, 40 wt% and 50 wt% of CB blends, the conductivity of ABS polymer is 7.0146x10¯⁹S.cm¹ , 1.1293x10¯⁸ S.cm¯¹ , 1.3104x10¯⁷ S.cm¯¹ , 2.1842x10¯⁷ S.cm¯¹ , and 2.2346x10¯⁷ S.cm¯¹ respectively. Temperature also plays a major role in order to achieve higher conductivity. As the temperature increase the conductivity of ABS CB blends will also increase. Conductive network created by conductive filler has change the ABS matrix thus increase the electrical conductivity of ABS.