Over-current protection device

Abstract

An over-current protection device comprises two metal foils and a PTC material layer laminated between the two metal foils. The PTC material layer essentially comprises a polymer matrix and a conductive filler. The polymer matrix at least comprises a first crystalline polymer, e.g., LDPE, and a second crystalline polymer, e.g., PVDF, in which the melting temperature of the second crystalline polymer subtracting the melting temperature of the first crystalline polymer is equal to or more than 50° C. The conductive filler is selected from metallic grain of a volumetric resistivity less than 500 μΩ-cm, and is distributed in the polymer matrix. The initial volumetric resistivity of the PTC material layer is less than 0.1Ω-cm, and the trip temperature of the PTC material layer at which the resistance thereof increases to 1000 times the initial resistance subtracting the melting temperature of the first crystalline polymer is less than 15° C.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the relations of temperature vs. resistance of a PTC composite material with and without HDPE addition;

FIG. 2 illustrates an over-current protection device of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the relations of temperature vs. resistance of a PTC composite material with and without PVDF addition.

Claims

1. An over-current protection device, comprising: two metal foils; anda positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material layer laminated between the two metal foils, comprising: (1) a polymer matrix at least comprising a first crystalline polymer and a second crystalline polymer, with the melting temperature of the second crystalline polymer being higher than that of the first crystalline polymer by at least 50° C.; and(2) a conductive filler distributed in the polymer matrix with the volumetric resistance thereof being less than 500 μΩ-cm;wherein the PTC material layer has a volumetric resistivity less than 0.1Ω-cm, and the trip temperature at which a resistance of the PTC material layer increases to 1000 times initial resistance thereof subtracting a melting temperature of the first crystalline polymer is less than 15° C.

2. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resistance of PTC material layer is less than 100 times the initial resistance thereof after being subjected to thermal shock between −40° C. and 85° C. for 100 cycles.

3. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first crystalline polymer in the PTC material layer is less than 20% by weight.

4. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second crystalline polymer is fluorine polymer.

5. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the fluorine polymer is polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF).

6. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first crystalline polymer is low density polyethylene.

7. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second crystalline polymer in the PTC material layer is between 1-10% by weight.

8. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the conductive filler is metallic grain or non-oxide ceramic powder.

9. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the conductive filler is nickel powder or titanium carbide.

10. The over-current protection device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising two electrodes connected to the two metal foils.