ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF METAL-CONTAINING POLYMER COMPOSITIONS

A percolation model that sets a correlation between the resistivity rh o of metal-polymer compositions and the volume fraction alpha of a met al pigment is suggested. The relationship ln rho = ln rho(0) + 1.73/a( Vmp/alpha)(1/3) (where rho(0) is the empirical resistivity of closely packed metal particles in a polymer, 1.73 is the analytical numeric fa ctor, alpha is an energy constant defined by the conductivity type, an d V-mp is the mean volume of a metal particle) is derived. Analytical and experimental data are in qualitative agreement.