16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPOSITE MATERIALS 1

In this research, we propose a 3 dimensional (3D) numerical model to predict the electrical properties of insulating polymer filled by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In this model, with the assumption of randomly distributed CNTs in polymers, the percolation threshold is predicted at the volume fraction of CNTs when a complete conductive path connected by some CNTs is built up. Furthermore, a 3D resistor network model for electrical conduction problems of composites is proposed, in which Kirchhoff’s current law is used to build up the system equations at different nodes in the network connected by CNTs, and then Ohm’s law is used to predict the macroscopic electrical conductivity of composites. Also, the experiments are performed. The present experimental results plus some previous experimental results by other researchers are employed to verify the numerical results. Finally, a highly sensitive strain sensor is made by using this new nano-composite with experimental and numerical verifications