Electrical insulation characteristics of alumina, titania, and organoclay nanoparticles filled PP/EPDM nanocomposites

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 131; no. 23; pp. np - n/a
• Main Authors: Hamzah, Muhammad Safwan, Jaafar, Mariatti, Mohd Jamil, Mohamad Kamarol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Blackwell Publishing Ltd 05.12.2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; applications; dielectric properties; elastomers; Flammability; Hydrophobicity; Materials science; Nanocomposites; nanoparticles; Nanostructure; nanowires and nanocrystals; Polymer blends; Polymers; Polypropylenes; thermoplastics; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.41184

ABSTRACT In this study, nanofillers composed of alumina, titania, and organoclay were separately embedded in 50% polypropylene (PP) and 50% ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) blends. Several formulations of PP/EPDM nanocomposites were prepared using an internal mixer and were molded using a compression mold to produce test samples. The effects of filler loading (2, 4, 6, and 8 vol %) on the dielectric breakdown strength, dielectric properties, hydrophobicity, and flammability were determined. The addition of nanofillers improved the breakdown strength (up to 2 vol %) and increased the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the PP/EPDM nanocomposites. The hydrophobicity of PP/EPDM/Al2O3 increased, whereas the hydrophilicity of PP/EPDM/TiO2 and PP/EPDM/organoclay increased. Flammability test results showed that PP/EPDM/TiO2 had a lower burning rate than PP/EPDM/Al2O3 and PP/EPDM/organoclay. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41184.