Investigation on dielectric and thermal properties of in-situ ZrB2/epoxy resin matrix composites

Bisphenol A epoxy resin (BAEP) was modified with high performance zirconium diboride (ZrB 2 ) ceramic particles using an in-situ polymerization method for the improvement of its dielectric and thermal properties. The dielectric properties of ZrB 2 /BAEP composites were investigated by numerical simulation and experiment. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were used to study thermal stability of the composites. Microstructures of filling composites were also observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results indicated that ZrB 2 particles were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The dielectric constant of composites firstly decreased with the introduction of ZrB 2 particles. The composite filled with 2 wt% ZrB 2 particles exhibited the optimal dielectric properties. Data obtained from finite element analysis (FEA) were reasonable agreement with the experimental values. The thermal stability of BAEP also significantly increased due to the addition of ZrB 2 particles. The initial decomposition temperature of 2 wt% ZrB 2 /BAEP composite increased by 10°C compared with that of the pure BAEP. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2734–2744, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers