Polystyrene/Silicone Rubber Blends with Improved Dielectric Properties

Abstract In this study, the dielectric properties of unfilled as well as nanofilled polystyrene-silicone rubber blends are evaluated. Accordingly, the preparation of polystyrene-silicone rubber blends is carried out considering three different concentrations of polystyrene (3, 7 and 10%wt). Also, the preparation of polystyrene-silicone rubber nanocomposites is carried out considering different two types of nanoparticles. These nanoparticle types are TiO2 and SiO2 with the same average particle size of 20 nm. Different nanoparticle concentration levels of 1.5, 2 and 3%wt are studied. The effect of thermal aging on the dielectric properties of unfilled and nanofilled polystyrene-silicone rubber samples is evaluated. The samples are subjected to thermal aging for two months at a temperature of 130 oC. The average breakdown strength as well as the breakdown voltages at 10% and 50% probabilities is evaluated before and after the thermal aging process. The dielectric response includes relative permittivity and dissipation factor are measured and evaluated under thermal aging. The obtained results show that adding small amount of polystyrene to silicone rubber improves its dielectric properties. Finally, adding small amount of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles to polystyrene-silicone rubber blends gives more improvements in its dielectric properties.