MgTiO3 filled PTFE composites for microwave substrate applications

MgTiO3 filled PTFE composite substrates were fabricated for microwave circuit applications. The filler content in the PTFE matrix was varied from 30 to 70 wt%. Low loss MgTiO3 ceramic powder was prepared by the solid state ceramic route. The phase formation of MgTiO3 was studied by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Morphology of the composites and dispersion of filler in the PTFE matrix was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Microwave dielectric properties of the composites with respect to filler loading were measured by stripline resonator method using Vector Network Analyzer. Different theoretical modeling approaches were used to predict the dielectric constant of PTFE ceramic composites with respect to filler loading. The linear coefficient of thermal expansion of the composites was investigated. Moisture absorption of the composites was found out conforming to IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.