Effect of Carbon Black on the Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Rubber Ferrite Composites

Nanoparticles of nickel ferrite are synthesised by sol-gel technique. They are then characterised by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Precharacterised ultra fine nickel ferrite is then incorporated in ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) according to a specific recipe. The prepared rubber ferrite composites (RFCs) are found to have appreciable mechanical and dielectric properties. Addition of appropriate amount of carbon black to RFCs substantially improves its dielectric properties. Variation of dielectric properties of RFCs with frequency is studied in the frequency range 0.1-8 MHz and is found to vary in accordance with Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarisation. dc conductivity of the RFCs is also measured and correlated with filler loading.