Characterization of Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polystyrene Composite Reinforced by Hybrid Reinforcement Filler

Abstract

Nowadays, electrically conductive polymer plays some important roles in the modern electronic devices because the crucial importance in telecommunication and biosensors. This type of materials offers an obvious decrease in the weight of the devices and it also has an environmental compatibility. A conductive polymer composite is promising alternative materials that has several advantages in the electronic applications currently. Polyester was used as a matrix, and copper –Tin /Zink inform of particulates with Copper short wires were considered electrically conductive fillers. The study prepared two groups (A and B) using different filler materials (Cu- Tin /Zink - Polyester and Cu- Tin /Zink –Cu- short wires / Polyester) with a weight fraction percentage of up to 50%. A composite processing method was slip casting to produce rectangular and cylindrical samples; after that samples were cured at room temperature for 48 hrs. Produced samples from both mixed were tested for density, ultimate tensile strength and scan electron microscope. AC conductivity test were performed for all samples using a frequency range from 50 Hz to 50 MHz to measure the dielectrically loss factor and electrical conductivity.  From the study, it has been found that filler powder almost proved better ultimate strength behavior, and the peak value was determined at 30% wt., while short wires above 40 % wt. can cause a dramatic reduction in tensile strength. The results revealed that short wires filler van improves the electrical conductivity by approximately 50%; when compared with using particulate filler only. The result from the microstructure showed that short wires with metals powder could provide a connected network for improving the conductivity in the polymer matrix.