| In an effort to create a polymer-based fiber that is both mechanically stronger than many currently used fibers and more electrically conductive than traditional insulative polymer-based fibers, several types of carbon particulates have been added to polypropylene and PA 6,6 substrates. The various particulate types include the traditional cost-saving carbon black, as well as carbon nanotubes and carbon spherulites, or "buckyballs", as they are more commonly referred to. The carbon particulate loading level varies between 2.5 and 5 percent. In an effort to produce the most versatile fibers available, various denier levels were also tested.;The increased addition of carbon particulates to the various matrices decreased the electrical resistance (increasing conductivity) of the fibrous polymer as the additive level increased. There was not a substantial change in conductivity among the various additive types or polymer substrate types.;The mechanical properties of fibers were measured through the fibers strength (measured in tenacity) and deformability (measured in elongation). The addition of additives consistently embrittled the fibers, completely destroying the utility of nylon for many applications. Polypropylene, however, was found to be much more compatible with the additives. The addition of the various particulates led to an increase in mechanical strength, and while tenacity increased slightly with an increase in loading level, deformability conversely suffered. |
