The effects of carbon content, tensile force, and temperature on the e
lectrical resistance of carbon-filled liquid silicone rubber composite
s are studied. The relaxation process of resistance following loading
can be described by an exponential function. The force dependence of t
he equilibrium resistance can be expressed by a second order polynomia
l, and such a relationship can be derived from the quantum mechanical
tunneling conduction mechanism by assuming that the separation distanc
e between carbon aggregates changes as a function of the tensile force
with a form of Delta w = kF(2). Combining with the experimental data
and typical values of theoretical parameters, the elastic modulus, the
separation distance, and the proportional constant k can be obtained.
Finally, the temperature dependence of resistance can be interpreted
by the general form of R=R(0)exp(const./T) with two different constant
s at different temperature ranges. (C) 1996 American Institute of Phys
ics.