Comparison of different conductive fillers in silicone for the purpose of replacing metallic conductive structures in flexible implants

Graphite (G), Carbon Black (CB) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) are compared regarding their usability as conductive filling particles in medical silicone. Produced test structures were characterized mechanically and electrically. CNT turn out to produce the lowest electrical resistance at the lowest concentration. This and the small elongation dependency of the test structure resistance at lengthening up to 6 % cause CNT to be the ideal filler. Therefore CNT filled silicone is the best choice to replace metallic conductive structures in flexible implants.