Current limiting device with electrically conductive composite and method of manufacturing the electrically conductive composite

A current limiting device comprising:

• at least two electrodes;
• an electrically conducting composite material between said electrodes;
• interfaces between said electrodes and said composite material;
• an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance comprising contact resistance at said interfaces whereby, during a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at said interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization of the electrically conducting composite material and at least a partial physical separation at said interfaces;
• and
• means for exerting compressive pressure on said composite material,
• wherein said electrically conductive composite material consists essentially of:
• an organic binder portion comprising an epoxy having a glass transition temperature (Tg) such that the current limiting device operates at temperatures associated with the adiabatic resistive heating during the high current event, a polyglycol epoxy having a viscosity such that the electrically conducting composite material is ductile, and at least one epoxy curing agent;
• and
• a conductive nickel powder.