Influence of BaTiO 3 Incorporation on the Morphological, Mechanical, Thermal, and Dielectric Properties of ABS-Based Composites

In this study, Barium Titanate, BaTiO3, (BT) as a functional filler at different loadings (10, 15, and 20 wt. %) was incorporated into Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) matrix. The frequency dependence of conductivity, dissipation factor, and dielectric constant of BT-filled ABS composites was investigated at room temperature. The structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of the composites were characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of the crystalline BT phase within the amorphous ABS, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed uniform dispersion at lower loadings and increased agglomeration at higher loadings. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed improved thermal stability as BT content increased. Mechanical testing indicated a continuous increase in tensile modulus with filler content, while tensile strength showed an initial decrease followed by recovery at higher loadings. Dielectric analysis revealed a significant enhancement in dielectric constant with increasing BaTiO3 content, particularly at low frequencies. 20 wt% BT-filled ABS-3D composites exhibit the highest AC conductivity, reaching approximately 1.79 × 10−6 S/cm at 107 Hz. However, neat ABS shows the lowest conductivity, peaking at roughly 3.08 × 10−7 S/cm. Overall, the results demonstrate that ABS/BT composites offer a promising balance of processability, mechanical performance, and dielectric functionality, highlighting their potential for dielectric applications requiring enhanced permittivity and processability.