Abstract
The potential of nanoclay reinforcement to improve radome performance and longevity is quantified via a resonant technique. Epoxies used for radome applications are susceptible to environmental degradation through moisture absorption. Moisture in composite systems can degrade mechanical and dielectric properties, which is of particular concern in radome applications where low dielectric properties are crucial for maintaining radar transparency. The addition of nanoclay may prove a viable method for dielectric and structural performance improvement through moisture absorption minimization. The dielectric properties of an epoxy/montmorillonite nanocomposite are evaluated as a function of nanoclay weight percentage and moisture content using a split-post dielectric resonator operating at 10 GHz. An increase of 25% in relative permittivity and 480% in loss tangent is observed for nanocomposites contaminated with 8.4% water by weight in the most extreme case. The addition of 2% nanoclay by weight effectively delayed a 16% degradation in relative permittivity by 760 hours.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 42691 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Polymer Science |
| Volume | 132 |
| Issue number | 43 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- composites
- degradation
- dielectric properties
- nanoparticles
- nanowires and nanocrystals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry