Some Effects of Mineral Fillers on the Electrical Characteristics of Pultruded Composites

摘要

Several studies in the research literature discuss the effects of mineral fillers on the mechanical properties of pultruded composites; however, there are fewer studies that discuss the effects on dielectric/electrical properties. This paper will discuss some effects of mineral fillers and other constituent materials on the dielectric/electrical properties of pultruded composites, especially at gigahertz frequencies. Mineral fillers including various kaolin clays, aluminum trihydrates (ATH), and calcium carbonate were pultruded using standard resin system formulations and methods typical of the pultrusion industry. Experiments were arranged so as to determine the effects of the different fillers on the electrical properties using different resins, different glass reinforcements, and different amounts of filler since each of these has been mentioned in the literature as a possible influence on the electrical properties of composites. Results show that there are differences in the electrical response in the pultruded composites examined and that both electrical and mechanical property data should be considered when selecting a pultruded system.