Effects of particle size and electrical resistivity of filler on mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of linear low density polyethylene–zinc oxide composites

The effects of particle size and electrical resistivity of zinc oxide (ZnO) on mechanical properties, electrical and thermal conductivities of composites made with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were investigated. Micron sized (mZnO), submicron sized (sZnO), and nano sized (nZnO) powders having resistivities of 1.5 × 106, 1.5 × 109, and 1.7 × 108 were used to prepare composites with 5–20 vol % filler. The tensile strength was lowered and the modulus of elasticity of the composites was increased with ZnO addition. Rather than the particle size of the ZnO, its initial resistivity and aspect ratio affected the resistivity of composites. The resistivity of the LLDPE was lowered from 2.3 × 1016 Ω cm down to 1.4 × 1010 Ω cm with mZnO addition. Thermal conductivity of the composites was increased with ZnO addition 2.5–3 times of the polymer matrix. The composites can be used for electrostatically dissipating and heat sink applications due to their decreased electrical resistivity and increased thermal conductivity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2734–2743, 2013