Dielectric properties of kenaf filled epoxy composites

Abstract

The dielectric properties of kenaf filled epoxy composites was investigated. Composites was fabricated using kenaf fibres and epoxy resin. The composites was manufactured using a cold press method; the volume fraction of the natural fibres were 7 and 14%. The dielectric test were conducted using Agilent/Keysight E8363B PNA Network Analyser. Result shows that the 14% Kenaf filled epoxy composites successfully decrease the dielectric constant between 12.4 GHz and 16.66 GHz. It shows that the dielectric constant increased with decreased on the fibre loading. Besides that, 14% Kenaf has a higher dissipation loss factor compared to 7% Kenaf filled epoxy composites and reached its peak at 17.89 GHz. In summary, the 14% Kenaf shows a lowest dielectric constant and permeability compared to 7% Kenaf filled epoxy composites.