The dielectric properties of epoxy/AlN composites

In this paper, AlN ceramic powder is chosen to be mixed with epoxy to form epoxy/AlN composites, the effects of the content of AlN filler on the physical and dielectric properties of epoxy/AlN composites are developed. From the SEM observation, the particles of self-synthesized AlN powder, obtained by using combustion method, is less uniformity and the average particle size is about 3.12 μm. Only the AlN phase can be detected in the XRD patterns of the epoxy/AlN composites. The more AlN powder is mixed with epoxy, the higher crystal intensity of AlN phase will exist in the XRD patterns. As the content of AlN powder in the epoxy/AlN composites increases from 5 to 40 wt.%, the dielectric constant increases from 6.52 to 7.28 (measured at 1 MHz). The loss tangent of epoxy/AlN composites is slightly increased as the measured frequency increases. Moreover, the epoxy/AlN composites in this investigation show less pores as compared to other literatures. The results indicate that the fabrication process has an apparent effect on the decrease of porosities, and the composites with a low porosity will lead to a low loss tangent.