• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.70-74
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• 2015

In this paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and micro glass bubbles (GBs) have been incorporated into a polyamide6 (PA6) matrix to impart thermoelectric properties. The spaces created in the matrix by GBs allows the formation of "segregated" CNT network. The tightly bound CNT network, if controlled properly, can serve as a conductive path for electron transport, while prohibiting phonon transport, which would provide an ideal configuration for thermoelectric applications. The CNTs and GBs were dispersed in a nylon-formic acid solution using horn sonication followed by coagulation in deionized water, and nanocomposite panels were fabricated using a hot press. The performance of nanocomposite panels was evaluated from thermal and electrical conductivities and Seebeck coefficient, and a thermoelectric figure of merit as high as 0.016 was achieved.

• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

This paper presents an experimental study on the piezoresistive behavior of nanocomposite strain sensors subjected to various loading modes and their capability to detect structural deformations and damages. The electrically conductive nanocomposites were fabricated in the form of a film using various types of thermoplastic polymers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) at various loadings. In this study, the nanocomposite strain sensors were bonded to a substrate and subjected to tension, flexure, or compression. In tension and flexure, the resistivity change showed dependence on measurement direction, indicating that the sensors can be used for multi-directional strain sensing. In addition, the sensors exhibited a decreasing behavior in resistivity as the compressive load was applied, suggesting that they can be used for pressure sensing. This study demonstrates that the nanocomposite strain sensors can provide a pathway to affordable, effective, and versatile structural health monitoring.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.265-269
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• 2015

Development of simple and efficient method for large-scale production of mechanically strong and electrically conductive graphene fiber is highly desirable for practical applications, such as fiber-reinforced composites, wearable electronics, and electromagnetic irradiation shielding. Here, we present a facile approach for the preparation of amine-functionalized graphene fibers by simple wet-spinning of diamine-functionalized graphene oxide (GO-$NH_2$), which is used because of its synthetic convenience, good dispersity, and scalable production with low cost. The amine-functionalized graphene fiber shows high electrical and mechanical properties compared to pristine graphene oxide fiber due to the electrostatic interaction between amine groups and electronegative functional groups of graphene oxide.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.250-256
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• 2014

Polypropylene (PP) composites containing conductive multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and stainless steel short fiber (SSF) were manufactured using a twin screw extruder and characterized their surface resistivity and mechanical properties in this work. Surface resistivity measurements showed that the percolation threshold appeared at a lower MWNT loading when a small amount of SSF was added to PP/MWNT composites. Tensile modulus and strength of the composites increased but elongation-at-break decreased greatly compared to pure PP. Also, the effects of MWNT and SSF on storage modulus and tan ${\delta}$ from dynamic mechanical analysis for the composites were examined, and the morphologies of fractured surface and the fillers were observed using a scanning electron microscope.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 2024

Mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of polymer composites can be improved simultaneously by incorporating carbon fibers (CFs), which are beneficial for improving the mechanical properties, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which are advantageous for improving the conductive properties. In this study, MWCNTs were incorporated into carbon long fiber thermoplastic (CLFT), which has excellent mass production processability and excellent mechanical properties, to control electrical and thermal properties. The mechanical and electrical properties of the prepared composites were most significantly influenced by the amount of filler incorporated. On the other hand, the thermal properties were improved due to the formation of a filler network interconnected by the incorporation of MWCNTs. By adjusting the filler amount, filler composition, and filler network structure of MWCNT-incorporated CLFT, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties could be controlled.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.941-946
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• 2001

Conductive microspheres with a density of 0.2 g/cc were fabricated by electroless silver plating for application to the light-weighted microwave absorbers. The silver plating was conducted with the variation of plating conditions (sensitizing condition, $AgNO_3$, concentration, amount of reducing agent). Specimens have very low electro-resistivity. Under an optimum processing condition, conductive microspheres with uniform silver plating layer can be produced. Rubber-sphere composites were fabricated and their microwave absorbing properties were measured by HP8722D Network Analyzer. It was found that the lower the electrical resistance of microsphere, the better the microwave absorbing properties. Feasibility of microwave absorbers using this microspheres can be demonstrated with the result of microwave reflection loss of -15 dB and thickness of 1.44 mm.

• Composites Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2010

The improvement of electrical conductivity of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) has been investigated by silver nano-particles coating for the purpose of lightning strike protection. Silver nano-particles in colloid were sprayed on the surface of carbon fibers, which were then impregnated by epoxy resin to form a CFRP specimen. Electrical resistance was measured by contact resistance meter which utilize the principles of the AC 4-terminal method. Electrical resistance value was then converted to electrical conductivity. The coated silver nano-particles on the carbon fibers were verified by SEM and EDS. The electrical conductivity was increased by three times of the ordinary CFRP.

• Composites Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.61-67
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• 2004

This paper reports the electrical conductivity and the stress-strain behavior of silver particle-filled silicone composite pastes for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding gasket materials. The percolation threshold (critical concentration) of the composite paste obtained by incorporating irregular sphere-shaped silver particles and room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone resin was determined from the electrical conductivity result. At about 28 vol% Beading of untreated silver particles, the percolation phenomenon occurred and at this critical concentration, the volumetric resistivity, the tensile strength, and the elongation of the pastes were investigated. This work also suggests that the stress-strain characteristics of a composite paste filled with metal particles above the percolation threshold may be effectively improved by properly selecting a coupling agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.71-78
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• 2010

The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of material characteristic and design on to the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding characteristics. Basalt glass fiber reinforced composite specimens with stainless fiber conductive filler were manufactured to perform the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness(SE) experiments. In order to reflection and absorb the specimen in electromagnetic fields, flanged coaxial transmission line sample holder was fabricated according to ASTM D 4935-89. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness(EMSE) was measured quantitatively to examine the electromagnetic shielding characteristics of designed specimens. The result of EMI shielding experiments showed that maximum EMSE value of sandwich type specimens with GSG(basalt glass fiber/stainless fiber/basalt glass fiber) and SGS(stainless fiber/basalt glass fiber/stainless fiber) were 65dB and 80dB at a frequency of 1,500MHz, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.212-220
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• 2003

Electrical properties of carbon filler/PVdF [poly(vinylidene fluoride)] composite were investigated as a funtion of carbon filler/PVdF ratio in the range of 0.2${\sim}$0.5. Three kinds of comercialzied conductive carbon blacks such as Hiblack 41Y, KE300J, and KE600J, and carbon nanofibers prepared by the catalytic chemical vapor deposition of $C_2H_4$ over Ni-Cu catalysts were used as the carbon fillers. The electrical conductivity of carbon filler/PVdF composites were in the range of 0.65 to 13.5 S/cm depending the fillers' electrical conductivity ranging from 5.6 to 23.1 S/cm. Among the carbon fillers used, the KE600J carbon black showed the highest conductivity both in the composite and filler itself because of its high degree of graphitization due to the high-temperature thermal treatment and its high surface area due to the activation treatment.