Thermomechanically stable dielectric composites based on poly(ether ketone) and BaTiO3 with improved electromagnetic shielding properties in X‐band

ABSTRACT High‐performance barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) filled poly(ether ketone) (PEK) composites were prepared by melt compounding with an aim to investigate the effect of BaTiO 3 on thermal, thermomechanical, dielectric, and electromagnetic interference shielding behavior of PEK. The content of BaTiO 3 in the PEK matrix was varied from 0 to 18 vol %. Scanning electron microscopy studies shows that BaTiO 3 particles were uniformly distributed in the PEK matrix up to 13 vol % loading followed by the formation of agglomerates at higher loading (18 vol %). Rockwell hardness increased up to 13 vol % loading followed by a decrease at 18 vol % loading. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that storage modulus increases with increase in BaTiO 3 loading with a maximum value of 3192 MPa at 13 vol % compared to 2099 MPa for neat PEK. Dielectric constant of composites measured in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz increased approximately three times upon incorporation of 18 vol % of BaTiO 3 . This increment in dielectric constant is reflected in improved electromagnetic shielding properties as loading of dielectric filler (BaTiO 3 ) increases. Total shielding effectiveness of −11 dB (∼92% attenuation) at loading of 18 vol % BaTiO 3 justifies the use of these composites for suppression of EM radiations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46413.