Olefin Multiblock Copolymer Conductive Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible wire and cable compositions require high carbon black loading to maintain stable volume resistivity, which compromises material flexibility and leads to unstable conductivity upon aging.
Innovation Solution
A free radical crosslinked composition comprising an olefin multiblock copolymer and a conductive filler, such as carbon black, that maintains low and stable volume resistivity even with minimal carbon black loading, utilizing an ethylene/a-olefin multiblock interpolymer with specific molecular weight and molecular weight distribution characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high carbon black loading is used to maintain stable volume resistivity, then electrical conductivity stability is improved, but material flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymer matrix parameters by using olefin multiblock copolymer with specific molecular weight (40,000-200,000 g/mol) and molecular weight distribution (1.5-3.0), which allows achieving stable volume resistivity with lower carbon black loading (10-40 parts per 100 parts polymer) compared to conventional polymers, thereby maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining olefin multiblock copolymer with conductive filler (carbon black) where the specific polymer structure enhances filler dispersion and interaction, achieving stable electrical conductivity at reduced filler levels that preserves material flexibility
2Reliability
If high carbon black loading is used to achieve desired volume resistivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but processing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer parameters (molecular weight 40,000-200,000 g/mol and molecular weight distribution 1.5-3.0) to optimize processing characteristics, enabling easier handling and processing of compositions with carbon black loading in the range of 10-40 parts per 100 parts polymer while maintaining target volume resistivity
3Quantity of substance
If conventional polyethylene is used instead of olefin multiblock copolymer, then material cost is reduced, but volume resistivity stability during aging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to the polymer structure by using olefin multiblock copolymer with specific molecular weight (40,000-200,000 g/mol) and molecular weight distribution (1.5-3.0), which provides superior volume resistivity stability during aging at 90°C compared to conventional polyethylene, while the cost increase is offset by reduced carbon black requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves highly stable volume resistivity throughout aging periods with reduced carbon black content, maintaining flexibility and conductivity, unlike conventional compositions that require higher filler loads and suffer from increased resistivity.
Implementation Method 1
Free radical crosslinked, electrically conductive compositions exhibiting a highly stable volume resistivity comprise an olefin multiblock copolymer (OBC) and a conductive filler
Data Source
AI summary
Free radically crosslinked, electrically conductive compositions exhibiting a highly stable volume resistivity comprise an olefin multiblock copolymer (OBC) and a conductive filler, e.g., a conductive carbon black. These compositions exhibit a highly stable volume resistivity relative to a composition similar in essentially all aspects save that the OBC is replaced with a conventional polyethylene of similar density and melt index.