Dielectric properties of a functional epoxy : the case of composites containing Carbon Black and reactive POSS

The study compared the dielectric properties of neat epoxy, epoxy composites containing 5 wt% CB, and both 5 wt% CB and 1 wt% POSS. When comparing the dielectric responses observed for the composites, the role of POSS was found to produce an important reduction of the losses over a wide span of relaxation frequencies. Although the breakdown characteristics of the composites were found to be substantially reduced as compared to that of neat epoxy, the effect of adding POSS results into the enhancement of CB-composite breakdown by 10%. Under the present conditions including temperature variance up to above the glass transition temperature, the composites remained in an insulating state.