Dielectric Performance of UHMWPE-MgFe₂O₄ Composites Depending on Polymer Crystallinity, and the Concentration and Size of Mechanochemically Synthesized Ferrite Particles

Abstract

Mechanochemically synthesized particles of two types of magnesium ferrites, one of which with structural distortions and an average size of 170 nm, and another that is highly crystalline with an average size of 900 nm, were introduced into a matrix of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene via the milling processing. The final material has been formed by hot pressing mechanocomposites based on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and magnesium ferrite particles of various fineness and concentration. Structural characteristics were studied using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The dielectric properties of the obtained composites were analyzed by testing the frequency dependence of the permeability, dielectric losses, and conductivity. The effect of filler concentration and particle size, as well as the crystallinity of the polymer, on the dielectric properties of the composite material were studied.

Keywords

• magnesium ferrites
• ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
• polymer crystallinity
• mechanochemical synthesis
• mechanocomposites
• composite materials