Interfacial phenomena in polymer based PTC material

Polymer based PTC (positive temperature coefficient) composites are of spec ial interest since they have great potential in temperature sensitive devic es. In order to obtain a reproducible PTC composite with acceptable PTC int ensity, the effects of processing conditions and filler treatment with nitr ic acid and titanate coupling agents on room temperature resistivity, PTC i ntensity, and melt viscosity of carbon black filled low density polyethylen e composites have been described and discussed in the present paper. The re sults show that interfacial effect is a key factor influencing the processa bility and ultimate material performance, which can be tailored in various ways.