Correlation Between Mechanical Behavior and Electrical Resistance Change in Carbon Particle Dispersed Plastic Composite

Mechanical behavior and electrical resistance change of CPDP (carbon particle dispersed plastic) composite consisting of epoxy resin and conductive carbon particle were investigated under monotonic loading and repeated loading-unloading. The electrical resistance almost linearly increased with increasing strain during loading and the residual electrical resistance was observed even after removing load. The value of the residual electrical resistance was dependent on the maximum strain under the applied stress. This result suggests that the estimation of maximum strain (i.e., damage) is possible by the measuring electrical resistance of composite. The behavior of electrical resistance change during and after loading was discussed on the basis of the results of microscopic deformation and fracture observation. Moreover, the relationship between the volume fraction of carbon particle and the electrical resistivity of CPDP was investigated in relation to the percolation theory. Simulation model of percolation structure was established by Monte Carlo method and the simulation result was compared to the experimental results. The electrical resistance change under applied loading was analyzed quantitatively using the percolation equation and a simple model for the critical volume fraction of carbon particle as a function of the mechanical stress. It was revealed that the prediction was in good agreement with the experimental result except in the region near the failure of material.