Polymer and elastomer compositions having carbon nanostructure additives and articles formed therefrom for use in EMI and RFI shielding and in pressure sensing seals having quantum tunneling composite effects

A method of making a self-sensing, elastomeric article wherein the self-sensing, elastomeric article is formed from a self-sensing, elastomeric article composition, comprising

• providing the self-sensing, elastomeric article composition comprising at least one matrix polymer comprising at least one curable polymer having at least one functional group for crosslinking and at least one carbon nanostructure additive that is three-dimensional, branched and crosslinked, wherein the at least one carbon nanostructure additive is present in an amount of about at least about 1 part by weight to about 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the at least one matrix polymer;
• and
• forming the self-sensing, elastomeric article from the self-sensing, elastomer article composition by curing and heat-forming the self-sensing, elastomeric article composition, wherein the article is a self-sensing, elastomeric article and when in an application subject to compressive stress is (i) an insulator when not subjected to the compressive stress, and is conductive when subjected to the compressive stress, and/or (ii) a conductivity level of the self-sensing, elastomeric article when subjected to the compressive stress is different than a conductivity level of the self-sensing, elastomeric article when not subjected to the compressive stress so that the self-sensing, elastomeric article exhibits at least one of a dissipative effect or a quantum tunneling effect, and the elastomeric, self-sensing article has a change in conductivity level when under the compressive stress in use that determines and evaluates performance of the self-sensing, elastomeric article in real time.