High Frequency Properties of Magnetodielectric Composites Consisting of Oriented Febased Flakes Embedded in a Polymeric Matrix

Magnetodielectric composites offer the potential for combining a large index of refraction, favorable impedance matching and bandwidth characteristics, and low power losses in a single material. These properties are determined by the effective permeability (mu_eff) and effective permittivity (epsiv_eff) of the composite and can be controlled by the choice and shape of the magnetic and dielectric constituents of the composite. The sample have been prepared, characterized, and studied the electrodynamic properties of a series of oriented Fe-based flakes embedded within an insulating polymeric matrix. The ferromagnetic constituents of the magnetodielectric composite were prepared by mechanically deforming commercially available spherical Fe particles. Low magnification SEM images for the sample were analysed. These images clearly indicate the degree to which the Fe-based flakes have been aligned by an applied field prior to the polymerization of the matrix. The effects of this alignment were also seen in the hysteresis loops and X-ray diffraction patterns of these samples.