Dielectric properties of polydicyclopentadiene and polydicyclopentadiene-silica nanocomposite

Conventional thermoset materials, such as epoxy, polyester, silicone and polyurethane, have relatively high dielectric losses and high dielectric constants, which are not desirable for a high frequency and high voltage application. Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is a polyolefinic thermoset material that has outstanding dielectric characteristics: low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and high breakdown strength that are similar to polypropylene but higher thermal stability similar to epoxy. In addition, it also has great mechanical strength and fracture toughness. Due to its extremely low viscosity, PDCPD is easy to process and has flexibility for various reaction injection moldings. Dielectric performance, such as corona resistance, is further enhanced by PDCPD-nanosilica composites. In this paper, dielectric properties of PDCPD will be presented and discussed.