• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2003

In this work, $Fe_3O_4$ (magnetite), conductive filler was prepared from $FeCl_2{\cdot}4H_2O,\;(CH_2)_6N_4$ (hexamethylene tetramine), and $NaNO_2$, followed by mixing with crystallizable chloroprene rubber(CR). The influence of conductive filler content on the properties of the conductive composite was studied and temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity (${\sigma}$) was also investigated. It is found that the percolation threshold concept holds true for the conductive particle-filled composite where ${\sigma}$ indicates a nearly sharp increase when the fraction of magnetite in the mixture exceeds 27%. The temperature dependence of ${\sigma}$ is thermally activated blelow or at the $P_c$. Magnetite acts as reinforcement and conductive filler for CR rubber. Moreover, it is shown that the composite with magnetite of 50 phr gives the most significant mechanical properties for tensile strength and elongation at break, which is due to the formation of optimum physical interlock and crosslinking. The results of 100%, 200%, and 300% moduli suggest that the moduli are related with reinforcement effect of magnetite and viscosity of the blend.