Dielectric Properties of Maleic Anhydride Modified Unsaturated Polyester Composites Reinforced with Chicken Feather Fibre

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester matrix modified with maleic anhydride is loaded with different
chicken feather fibre loadings from 0% to 40%. The composite materials were exposed
for dielectric study in a wide range of frequencies from 60Hz to 1MHz. All of the
composite materials exhibited the characteristics of having high dielectric values at
lower frequencies, which gradually reached significantly lower values at higher
frequencies. This composite material appeared to have good stability of dielectric
properties at a high frequency of 1MHz, and can be potentially proposed for use as a
high-speed printed circuit board (PCB) material. FTIR analysis indicates high
compatibility between maleic anhydride and unsaturated polyester, to form strong
bonding with the hydroxyl group of the fibre. SEM analysis specifies the good
penetration of the monomer to the cell wall, eliminating voids on the matrix.