Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics are generally not specifically
designed to perform in extremely transient high impact scenarios. This research
focused on the development of a silver-decorated carbon black-based polymeric
nanocomposite with properties such as high conductivity, flexibility, and shock
absorbency. Polymeric rubber materials are generally very flexible and shock
absorbing, however, most polymeric materials are electrical insulators. The
dispersion of the silver-decorated carbon black into the polymeric matrix could
significantly improve the electrical conductivity. The processing and
fabrication of Ag-CB (silver-carbon black)/Epoxy (thermosetting epoxy polymer)
and Ag-CB/TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) will be reported. Both Ag-CB/Epoxy
and Ag-CB/TPU mixtures with solvents showed the shear-thinning behavior, which
was an important characteristic for direct printing of traces and Additive
Manufacturing (AM). The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were
measured using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) over a wide range of
temperatures. These nanocomposite materials were also successfully used to print
flexible circuits using a 3D-printing machine. The electrical resistance change
for the Ag-CB/Epoxy on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Ag-CB/TPU on PDMS under
strain was studied, and the results will be discussed.