The effect of tensile stress upon the resistivity of a polymeric carbon

Abstract

The room temperature resistivity of a polymeric carbon made from a phenolic resin was measured as functions of heat treatment temperature and tensile stress. The elastic modulus (at room temperature) was also measured as a function of heat treatment temperature. Analysis of the results indicates a positive piezoresistance effect which decreases to zero at high heat treatment temperatures. The effect is related to the models for the physical and electronic structures of polymeric carbons proposed previously, and is found to be consistent with these models.