Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated as a filler in various elastomers in order to obtain rubbers with improved electrical and thermal conductivity. Composites with very low electrical percolation thresholds were successfully produced by direct mixing of elastomers and CNTs in an internal mixer. The effect of CNTs on vulcanisation behaviour and crosslink density of the rubbers was examined and it was shown that very small amounts of CNTs accelerate the curing reaction with sulfur curing systems and contribute to an increase in crosslink density. It was also confirmed that composites of elastomers and CNTs are suitable in principle for manufacturing heating elements with controllable surface temperatures.
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