The dielectric effect of xylene on an organoclay-containing composite

The influence of a non-polar solvent, xylene, on the electrical properties of a system containing polypropylene, a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate and an organoclay has been considered, since the production of such materials may often involve exposure to a solvent. Although, in isolation, neither the organoclay nor the xylene has a marked effect on the dielectric response of the system, when combined, synergistic effects can be seen. We interpret this in terms of solvent-mediated relaxation of amphiphilic compatibilizer moieties introduced into the organoclay to aid processability. These local relaxation processes appear adversely to affect the AC breakdown strength of the system, which is recoverable upon the removal of xylene from the material.