Studies on nanocomposites reinforced with CNTs in different types of dielectric rubber

Dielectric (DE) rubber specimens were prepared by mixing room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Different types of rubber matrix were studied for their effect on the mechanical and electrical properties. The Type A specimen had low viscosity and Type B had high viscosity. At 3 phr of CNTs, the compressive modulus of these specimens increases by 1.82 times and 1.98 times, respectively. The tensile modulus increases by 2.66 times and 2.42 times. The actuator displacement was higher for the Type A specimen (1.4mm) than the Type B specimen (0.79 mm) with high stiffness at 2 phr of CNTs and 10 kV. An elastomeric slab based on Type A rubber (DE constant of 2.8) had lower mechanical stiffness, viscosity, and hardness, as well as higher resistance. The slab also had higher displacement at all voltages compared to Type B (DE constant of 3). Thus, a correlation was determined between the mechanical properties, electrical properties, and actuator displacement. These improvements could be useful for next-generation devices such as flexible electrodes or actuators. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.