Microwave dielectric properties of PTFE/rutile nanocomposites

The effects of nano-size rutile filler on the microwave dielectric properties of PTFE composites were investigated and the results were compared with that of micron size rutile filled composites. Nano-size rutile powder was prepared through sol-gel route and the filled PTFE composites were fabricated through SMECH process. Different characterization techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, BET, TEM and TG/DSC were employed to analyze the nature of ceramic filler. The dielectric properties of filled composites were evaluated at microwave frequency region using waveguide cavity perturbation technique. Different theoretical models have been employed to predict the variation of dielectric constant with respect to filler loading. The moisture absorption characteristics of nano-rutile filled PTFE composites were measured as per IPC-TM-650 2.6.2 standards. Composites show high dielectric constant at X-band frequency region with relatively high loss tangent compared to micron size counterpart.