Elastomeric conductive composites based on conducting polymer-modified carbon black

Thermally stable elastomeric composites were prepared via melt processing from poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) (SEBS) and conducting polymer-modified carbon black (CPMCB) additives. CPMCB additives represent a novel thermally stable conductive compound made via "in-situ" deposition of polyaniline or polypyrrole on carbon black particles. Incorporating CPMCB is advantageous to the melt processing of composites, as it reduces the melt viscosity in comparison to the use of pure carbon black. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) showed that the composites are thermally stable with no appreciable degradation at temperatures as high as 300degreesC. In addition, the electrical conductivity of the composites was found to be very stable at high temperatures. (C) 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.