The Effect of Crosslinking on the Electro-Thermal Properties of Carbon Black and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Composites

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and highly structured carbon black (CB) composites are promising for self-regulating heating materials, especially, were flexibility is needed. Two types of EVA-CB composites were made. Firstly, non-cross-linked EVA-CB composite was made with different CB concentrations and secondly, cross-linked EVA-CB composite with dicumylperoxide (DCP) as the cross-linking agent. Different concentrations of DCP were used. Samples were tested in two ways – by heating them internally (by applying 5V voltage) and externally (by heating in universal heating oven). The electro-thermal properties (including PTC effect) were determined.