Effect the Ratio and Particle Size of Glass Powder from Fluorescent Tubes Waste on Electrical Properties of PVA-Glass Composites

The polymer composites used in the present study were made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a matrix and glass powder as a filler. The glass powder was obtained from fluorescent tubes waste. The solution casting method was used to fabricate PVA/glass powder composite. Three groups of samples were prepared. The first was prepared by using PVA with the addition of glass powder (sieved less than 20 μm) in proportions 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 %. The second: the mixing ratios of PVA and glass powder were 80% and 20%, respectively. The third: The mixing ratios of PVA and glass powder were 60% and 40%, respectively. In Both previous groups, the added glass powder used was sieved with sizes less than 20, 45, 105, and 125 μm. For all samples, the following properties were measured at room temperature: DC electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, and dissipation factor. The last three properties were measured with a range of frequencies from 1kHz to 5MHz. DC conductivity increases with increasing of glass powder. It was found that the highest conductivity values are for samples composed of glass powder with a particle size of less than 45 μm for both ratios of glass 20% and 40%. It is also noticed that within most frequencies, the sample with 30% glass has the largest dissipation factor. At 20% filler of glass powder, it is noted that the highest values of the dielectric constant are for samples composed of glass powder with a particle size of less than 45 μm and 125 μm. Below 1 MHz, the effect of glass powder particle size on the AC conductivity is minimal. It is found that the samples containing glass powder (less than 125 μm and 105 μm), have similar and lowest dissipation factor. At 40% filler of glass powder, it is noted that the lowest values of the dielectric constant are for samples composed of glass powder with a particle size little than 105 μm.