Composites based on EVA and barium titanate submicrometric particles: Preparation by high‐energy ball milling and characterization

Abstract Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a thermoplastic semicrystalline polymer, has been blended with barium titanate submicrometric particles (BaTiO ₃ ) by means of high‐energy ball milling (HEBM) for obtaining composites in the form of films by hot pressing. Two different milling conditions have been considered: (i) milling at room temperature and (ii) milling under the temperature of the liquid nitrogen (cryomilling). The resulting composites have been fully characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to study the structure and morphology as a function of the processing conditions. A very good dispersion of the particles is attained under cryogenic conditions and, irrespective of the milling method, structural modifications were not observed in any of the materials used. Cross‐contamination of iron from the milling tools is also reduced to acceptable values for HEBM standards, especially in the case of cryomilling, an important issue for the use of these composites in electrical applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers