Thermoplastic polyurethane filled with carbon nanotubes for electrical dissipative and conductive applications

Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been shown to be attractive fillers for achieving electrical conductivity of polymers at relatively low CNT contents. Amounts lower than 1wt% are reported to be sufficient to get conductive polymers which is much less as compared to carbon black. This efficient behavior of CNT is caused by the excellent electrical properties in combination with the very high aspect ratio, as high as 1000. In addition, mechanical properties may be enhanced due to the fiber like shape of the filler. Thus, it is is also promising to use CNT as additives in polyurethanes for electrically conductive or antistatic applications. The aim of this study is the melt modification of a commercial thermoplastic polyurethane using different multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the study of electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the nanocomposites.