Dependence of Electrical Conductivities of Acetylene Black Filled Nylon-12 Fibers on Draw Spinning Conditions

Abstract

Draw spinning conditions for acetylene black (AB) filled nylon-12 fibers were studied to get electro-conductive fibers with well-developed conduction routes of AB. A draw ratio and a draw temperature were varied to see their influence on the electro-conductivity of the fibers obtained. AB agglomerates tend to align along fiber axes with an increase of the draw ratio and conduction routes are developed to lower average volume resistivity (AVR), when the draw ratio is low. However, the conduction routes seem to be partially destroyed on a further increase of the draw ratio beyond 1.3. Variation of the scattering range of volume resistivity (VR) depending on the draw ratio is rather complicated, but its lowest value was obtained at the draw ratio of 1.3. As the draw temperature is raised, homogeneity of the conduction routes increases, since matrix polymers soften. However, fibers adhere to a draw role on drawing at a higher temperature than 80deg. Thus drawing with the draw ratio of 1.3 at 80deg forms fibers with the lowest AVR and the narrowest scattering range of VR. The VR of the fibers obtained under the condition remained almost unchanged regardless of the drastic change of relative humidity of the surroundings where they were placed, which indicates that they have stable electrical conductivities.