New mixed rules on coposite materials

Composite materials with metallic fillers represent a two-component or multi-component system, whose properties are affected by the properties of polymeric matrix, properties of metallic filler and by their mutual interaction at the filler-polymer interface. Composites are often a subject of the current material research, yet only a little attention is paid to the impact of the particle size. This topic becomes increasingly important with the advance of nanocomposites. This work was focused toward experimental studies and numerical analysis of the impact of Ni filler size on the dielectric properties of the whole composite, even if the total Ni content remains constant. Based on experimental findings, a formula for the permittivity (dielectric constant) of a composite, accounting for both concentration and size of metallic filler particles, is developed.