Calculation of electrical conductivity of self-sensing carbon nanotube composites

This paper presents an analytical study on the electrical conductivity of composites whose constituted materials have distinct electrical properties. The present study investigates the effect of the aspect ratio of inclusions on the effective electrical conductivity of composites. Formulations are derived for determining the percolation threshold and calculating the electrical conductivity of composites with considering aspect ratio effect. The validation of the present model is also provided by using available experimental data. The present analytical model can be applied to predict the electrical behaviour of carbon-nanotube fibre reinforced polymer composites. •A theoretical model of electrical conductivity of CNTs/polymer composites is presented.•Effect of aspect ratio of CNTs on percolation threshold of composites is examined.•Theoretical formula is derived for determining the percolation threshold of composites.•Theoretical formula is derived for calculating the electrical conductivity of composites.•The model is validated using experimental data for CNTs/EOC and CNTs/epoxy composites.