Effect of carbon component properties on thermal physical characteristics of polymer composite materials for electrical devices

Relevance. Polymer composite materials with carbon components have not only good functional characteristics as resistors, but also low price, low specific gravity, and relatively simple industrial manufacturing technology. This determines the expansion of the scope of their application, including in material-intensive oil and gas equipment, in high-voltage electrical and electrophisikal installations. Expanding the areas of application of such materials requires research into thermophysical characteristics and methods for controlling them to optimize thermal conditions during continuous operation of equipment containing components made of polymer composite materials with carbon fillers. Thermophysical characteristics can be formed using a wide range of parameters; the main ones are the type of electrically conductive and connecting components. However, changing the binder requires a radical change in technology, which is not always acceptable for a number of reasons. Aim. To study the effect of the electrically conductive component (carbon black) on the thermophysical characteristics of rubbers filled with carbon black; establish the dependence of the thermophysical characteristics of the composite on the type of carbon black. Object. Thermophysical characteristics of the composite material, largely determined by the electrically conductive component. Methods. Instrumental measurements of thermophysical and electrical characteristics of materials, statistical and correlation analysis. Results. The authors have experimentally established that the thermophysical characteristics of rubbers filled with carbon black (heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity) depend on the type of carbon black. They identified the patterns of changes in these characteristics. The paper analyzes their relationship with the properties of carbon black and the characteristics of the macrostructure of the composite material. Based on the conducted research, the authors developed the recommendations for selecting the grade of carbon black for composites used in such areas as: electric heating systems operating on the principles of self-regulating heaters, devices operating in non-stationary thermal conditions, etc.