Study on Lead Zirconate-Titanate/Interpenetrating Polymer Network Composites

In order to improve damping properties of polyurethane/vinyl ester resin interpenetrating polymer network (PU/VER IPN), a series of Lead Zirconate-Titanate/IPN (PZT/IPN) composites were prepared by adding PZT into PU/VER IPN by in-situ polymerization process and were polarized. The optimal polarization process is obtained. The influence of PZT contents on microstructure, damping performances, mechanical performances, relative dielectric constant and piezoelectric constant (d¬33) was studied. The results show that PZT particles disperse in composites uniformly. The optimal polarization parameters of PZT/IPN composites are as follows: polarization temperature 100ºC, polarization field strength 6kV/mm and polarization time 40min. Mechanical loss tangent (tanδ) values of the optimal PZT/IPN composites with 75 wt.% PZT are higher than 0.3 from –31ºC to higher than 120ºC, which meets the requirement of damping materials with excellent performances.