Electrical and mechanical properties of some polymeric composites

Two unsaturated polyester resins based on poly[propylene-phthalate-hexane-maleate] (PEI) and poly [oxydiethylene-phthalate-hexane-maleate] (PE2) were prepared and crosslinked with styrene monomer. The structure of the prepared polyesters was detected using IR and NMR. The thermal behavior of the styrenated polyesters was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The dielectric properties for the PEI and PE2 styrenated polyesters and their mixtures with different ratios were also studied with a frequency range of 100 Hz to 100 kHz at room temperature (approximate to 25 degreesC). The mixture containing a 50/50 ratio of PE1/PE2 possessed the most promising dielectric properties. Thus, this sample was chosen along with the two separate styrenated polyesters to be loaded with three different types of fillers: calcium carbonate, clay, and quartz. This investigation led to the conclusion that the sample containing 50/50 PE1/PE2 loaded with 60-70% clay possessed the most promising dielectric properties. The compressive and tensile strength values were also studied for PEI, PE2, and their 50/50 mixture filled with the three types of fillers with the recommended concentrations (60 and 70%). The results indicated that the quartz composite (60%) had the best mechanical properties with respect to the clay and calcium carbonate. (C) 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1167-1180, 2002.