Polarization Measurements of Molded Liquid Crystal Polymer/Titania Composites

During the past decade, the preparation of inorganic/organic hybrid materials with high refractive index has attracted considerable attention. In particular, TiO2 (Titanium dioxide or Titania), as inorganic domains, have been incorporated into a polymer matrix to produce high refractive index hybrid materials [1–3]. Polarization of injection molded liquid crystal polymer/Titania composite parts have been investigated in the broad band millimeter wave frequency range. The measurements have been performed by using two different spectroscopy techniques. First, free space quasi optical millimeter wave spectrometer, equipped with a high power source coherent radiation tunable in the 40–90 GHz frequency range is used. Second, low power dispersive Fourier transform spectrometer has been used for higher frequencies in the range of 100–600 GHz. Dielectric properties of liquid crystal polymer/Titania composites have been determined in the broad band millimeter wave frequency range. A correlation between dielectric properties and dispersed Titania weight percent has been observed using the two spectroscopy techniques. It is found that the absorption coefficient and loss tangent is a strong function of the output power of the sources of the incident radiation. On the other hand, refractive index and real permittivity values measured from both spectroscopy techniques are similar. In addition, it has been found that transmittance level and absorption losses depend on the orientation of the samples with respect to the orientation of electric and magnetic fields in the incident electro-magnetic wave. Finally, the polarization of the parts varies with the direction of flow of the molten plastic into the cavity.