Microwave dielectrometry measurements of glass reinforced polyester resins

This study describes measurements of dielectric constant as a function of glass reinforcement concentration in polyester resins to use as a control parameter for online process monitoring. Microwave interferometers were constructed in the X and V bands at 9.35 and 60 GHz in both homodyne and heterodyne configurations to measure the phase difference associated with the material. This phase difference is then used to calculate the real part of the dielectric constant from the index of refraction at a microwave frequency. The homodyne X and V band measurements yielded a linear relationship between phase difference and glass concentration. Heterodyne V band measurements produced a nonlinear relationship. Further investigation into the microscopic interactions between the reinforcement particle and the polymer resin is necessary to determine how different concentrations affect the bulk macroscopic material properties.