Composite sandwich constructions for absorbing the electromagnetic waves

RAS (radar absorbing structures) is a key component for weapon systems such as aircrafts, warships, and missiles to achieve both the stealth performance by absorbing EM (Electromagnetic) waves incident on and load bearing capability. In this work, the RAS was fabricated as sandwich constructions composed of nanocomposite, carbon fabric/epoxy composite, and PVC foam. The nanocomposite composed of E-glass fabric, epoxy resin, and CNT (carbon nanotube) was adhesively bonded to the outside of the sandwich construction in order to absorb EM waves. The carbon fabric/epoxy composite had the dual roles as the reflection layer of incident EM waves and load bearing face material of sandwich constructions. Using the fabricated sandwich constructions, the EM absorbing characteristics were measured by the free space measurement system and the bonding characteristics between nanocomposites and carbon fabric/epoxy composites also were investigated.     

Fabrication and design of multi-layered radar absorbing structures of MWNT-filled glass/epoxy plain-weave composites

The object of this study is to design radar absorbing structures (RAS) with load-bearing ability in the X-band. Glass/epoxy plain-weave composites of excellent specific stiffness and strength, containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) to induce dielectric loss, were fabricated. Observations of the microstructure and the permittivity of the composites confirmed that the fabrics are suitable for use as RASs. A genetic algorithm and a theory of the reflection/transmission of electromagnetic waves in a multi-layered RAS were applied to design an optimal RAS composed of MWNT-filled composites. The thickness per ply was observed to vary, depending on the number of plies and the MWNT contents. A fabrication process was proposed that considered the variation. The proposed process was in the fabrication of a designed RAS, and the theoretical and measured reflection losses of the RAS were found to be in good agreement.     

Development of the composite RAS (radar absorbing structure) for the X-band frequency range

Since the EM properties of fiber reinforced polymeric composites can be tailored effectively by adjusting its composition, they are plausible materials for fabricating the radar absorbing structure (RAS) of desired performance. In this study, the composite RAS which has superior load bearing capacity and EM absorption characteristics has been developed by blending the conductive carbon black with the binder matrix of the E-glass/polyester composite, and its EM absorption characteristics has been measured by the free space method in the X-band frequency range (8.2–12.4 GHz). The composite RAS was designed so as to have the optimal performance for the X-band centered at 10 GHz. From the investigation, it was found that the composite RAS of 2.93 mm thickness with the conductive carbon black absorbed more than 90% of incident EM wave throughout the entire X-band frequency range.     

Fabrication of radar absorbing structure (RAS) using GFR-nano composite and spring-back compensation of hybrid composite RAS shells

The fiber-reinforced composite materials have been advanced to provide excellent mechanical and electromagnetic properties. The radar absorbing structure (RAS) is such an example that satisfies both radar absorbing property and structural characteristics. The absorbing efficiency of RAS can be obtained from selected materials having special absorptive properties and structural characteristics such as multi-layer and stacking sequence.

In this research, to develop a RAS, three-phase composites consisted of {glass fiber}/{epoxy}/{nano size carbon materials} were fabricated, and their radar absorbing efficiency was measured on the X-band frequency range (8–12 GHz). Although some of GFR (Glass Fiber–Reinforced)-nano composites showed outstanding absorbing efficiency, during their manufacturing process, undesired thermal deformation (so called spring-back) was produced. The main cause of spring-back is thought to be temperature drop from the cure temperature to the room temperature. In order to reduce spring-back, two types of hybrid composite shells were fabricated with {carbon/epoxy} and {glass/epoxy} composites. Their spring-back was measured by experiment and predicted by finite element analysis (ANSYS). To fabricate desired final geometry, a spring-back compensated mold was designed and manufactured. Using the mold, hybrid composite shells with good dimensional tolerance were fabricated.     

无反射层泡沫夹层结构设计及吸波性能研究EI北大核心CSCD

针对无反射层的电磁隐身需求,本工作对透波层/吸波泡沫/透波层的夹层结构的吸波性能进行仿真计算,据此制备不同电磁参数的吸波泡沫,对其进行电磁特性表征,并研究吸波泡沫夹层结构的雷达散射截面(RCS)性能。结果表明:在吸波泡沫介电常数为2.3~2.7,介电损耗为0.24~0.26时,无反射层的夹层结构在宽频范围内具有最优的吸波性能。加入炭黑吸收剂泡沫的介电常数和介电损耗具有明显的变化规律,吸波PMI泡沫的电磁特性与仿真计算最优吸波泡沫较接近。炭黑质量分数为8%时吸波PMI泡沫夹层结构在2~18 GHz频率范围内具有最优的隐身性能,与仿真计算结果相对应,其通过低频透波、高频吸波实现电磁波隐身。     

EM characteristics of the RAS composed of E-glass/epoxy composite and single dipole FSS element

From the methods to reduce radar cross section (RCS) such as shaping of the target, radar absorbing material (RAM), and radar absorbing structure (RAS), the RAS composed of frequency selective surface (FSS) screens and low-loss composite materials is used widely because the FSS screen transmits or reflects electromagnetic (EM) waves selectively and the composite material withstands external loads. In this study, the RAS composed of the E-glass/epoxy composite and single dipole FSS element was fabricated by printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing process, and their EM transmission characteristics, such as a resonant frequency, a minimum transmission loss, and a transmission bandwidth, were measured in the X-band frequency range by the free space method with respect to the size of dipole element and its periodicity of array.     

蜂窝状三维整体机织结构型吸波复合材料的设计、制备与性能

为了解决蜂窝夹层结构材料的开裂和分层问题,以玄武岩纤维长丝纱和碳纤维长丝纱为原料,在普通织机上,经合理设计,织造了顶层为透波层、中间层为吸波层和底面为反射层的蜂窝状三维整体机织结构型吸波织物;其次,以蜂窝状三维整体机织结构型吸波织物为增强体,双酚A型环氧树脂为基体,羰基铁粉(CIP)和炭黑(CB)为吸波剂,采用真空辅助树脂传递模塑(VARTM)成型工艺,制备了不同结构参数的蜂窝状三维整体机织结构型吸波复合材料;最后,采用矢量网络分析仪和万能试验机分别对蜂窝状三维整体机织结构型吸波复合材料的吸波性能和力学性能进行研究。研究表明,其有良好的整体性能,兼具吸波和承载能力。     

Blast impact response of aluminum foam sandwich composites

Military and civilian structures can be exposed to intentional or accidental blasts. Aluminum foam sandwich structures are being considered for energy absorption applications in blast resistant cargo containers, ordnance boxes, transformer box pads, etc. This study examines the modeling of aluminum foam sandwich composites subjected to blast loads using LS-DYNA software. The sandwich composite was designed using laminated face sheets (S2 glass/epoxy and aluminum foam core. The aluminum foam core was modeled using an anisotropic material model. The laminated face sheets were modeled using material models that implement the Tsai-Wu and Hashin failure theories. Ablast load was applied using the CONWEP blast equations (*LOAD_BLAST) in LS-DYNA. This paper discusses the blast response of constituent S2-glass/epoxy face sheets, the closed cell aluminum foam core as well as the sandwich composite plate.     

Design of the hybrid composite face with electromagnetic wave transmission characteristics of low-observable radomes

The faces of low-observable radomes constructed with sandwich structures are usually made of glass fiber or aramid fiber composites due to their high specific strength and compatibility of stealth characteristics. In this work, a hybrid composite face composed of both E-glass/epoxy and aramid/epoxy composites for low-observable radomes was designed to exploit the better characteristics of both composites. Three design methods, including the characteristic medium thickness, the wavenumber and the dielectric wavelength methods, were applied to satisfy the functional requirements of composite faces. The three design methods were evaluated via three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic wave transmission analysis and the free space measurement method.     

Synthesis,characterization and evaluation of reflectivity of nanosized CaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/epoxy resin composites in microwave bands

Microwave absorbing materials play a major role in electromagnetic interference and compatibility measurements in anechoic chambers. Nanocrystalline calcium titanate (CT) was synthesized by hydrothermal method and further composites of CT/epoxy resin were fabricated as thin solid slabs of four different weight ratios. The composite material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which reveals that CT was observed to be in the monoclinic phase with an average crystallite size of 24 nm. The reflectivity measurement of the composite materials was carried out by the transmission/reflection method using a vector network analyzer R&S: ZVA40, in the X- and Ku-bands. The effective permittivity and permeability of the samples was also computed with the help of measured transmission and reflection coefficients. The results show that CT with equal weight of epoxy resin provides −30 dB at 8.5 GHz in the X-band and −19.5 dB at 18.0 GHz in the Ku-band. Reflectivity was found to be better than −10 dB for 2.2 GHz and 1.9 GHz for X-band and Ku-band, respectively and encourages use of it as potential microwave absorber material.     

整体中空复合材料隔声性能的实验研究

为了探讨整体中空复合材料结构与隔声性能之间的关系, 设计并制备了不同高度、不同面板厚度以及不同芯材的玻璃纤维整体中空织物/环氧树脂复合材料。采用混响室-消声室法对其隔声性能进行了测试分析。研究表明: 整体中空复合材料的结构对其隔声性能有明显的影响。复合材料的隔声性能随着结构高度的增加逐渐提高, 面板厚度对材料的隔声效果影响较大, 芯材排列形式对其隔声性能影响相对较小; 8 形整体中空复合材料的隔声性能略高于 88 形和 X 形。      

Nano-structured sandwich composites response to low-velocity impact

This paper investigates the influence of exfoliated nano-structures on sandwich composites under impact loadings. A set of sandwich composites plates made of fiberglass/nano-modified epoxy face sheets and polystyrene foams was prepared. The core was 25 mm thick and the face sheets were made of eight layers of woven fabric glass fibers and nano-modified epoxy (≈0.8 mm of thickness). The epoxy system was bisphenol A resin and an amine hardener. The fiber volume fraction used was around 65%, while the nanoclay content varied from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.%. The nanoclay used was Cloisite 30B from Southern Clay. The sandwich panels were submitted to low-velocity impact tests with energies from 5 J to 75 J. Two sets of experiments were performed, i.e. high velocity + low mass and low velocity + high mass. Damage caused by the two groups of experiments and peak forces measured were dissimilar. The results show that the addition of 5 wt.% of nanoclay lead to a more efficient energy absorption. The failure modes were also analyzed, and they seems to be affected by the nanoclay addition to face sheets.     

Characterization of electromagnetic properties of polymeric composite materials with free space method

The introduction of microwave radars during the second World War altered the air defense scenario significantly, and this led to the development of the “stealth” techniques. By reducing the detectability of aircrafts or warships, of which the radar cross section (RCS) is a measure, they could evade radar detection, which affected not only the mission success rate but also survival of them in the hostile territory. In the very early stage of the research on stealth techniques, many researches were mainly concentrated on the reduction of RCS and development of radar absorbing materials (RAM), but nowadays studies on investigating the radar absorbing structures (RAS) using fiber reinforced polymeric composite materials are becoming popular research field.

In this study, electromagnetic characteristics of unidirectional E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites were tested with free space methods, which can overcome drawbacks of conventional cavity and waveguide methods. Complex relative permittivities of low-loss composite were measured with respect to the angle between the fiber orientation and the electric field vector of EM wave in X-band frequency range. From the experimental data, empirical relation between the dielectric properties of composites and test variable was suggested and verified.     

Effects of hybrid carbon fillers of polymer composite bipolar plates on the performance of direct methanol fuel cells

The effects of carbon filler type on the properties and performance of composite bipolar plates fabricated by compression molding of carbon fillers such as graphite, carbon black (CB), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT), carbon fiber (CF) and powder type epoxy have been investigated. The electrical conductivity and flexural properties of the composites are increased by increasing the content of fibrous conducting fillers, e.g. MWNT and CF. On the contrary, incorporation of particulate fillers such as CB and graphite plays a significant role in enhancing the electrical conductivity but has a negative effect on the flexural properties of the composites. The current–voltage curve of the fuel cell indicates that the performance of the fuel cell is improved upon selection of an optimum amount of carbon filler in the composite bipolar plates.     

Study on the semi-empirical model for the complex permittivity of carbon nanocomposite laminates in microwave frequency band

A semi-empirical model is proposed for the complex permittivity of composites containing electrical conductive carbon nanomaterials such as carbon black (CB), carbon nanofiber (CNF) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT). The composites were fabricated with E-glass fabric/epoxy prepregs. The model is based on the percolation theory. The model is available for the composite of filler content over the percolation threshold and applicable within the high frequency band in which AC electrical conductivity of the composite is continuously proportional to the frequency. The proposed model is composed of the numerical equations of the scaling law in percolation theory and constants obtained from experiments to quantify the model. The model describes the complex permittivity as a function of frequency and filler content. The model was verified when compared with the measurements. The measurements for the complex permittivities of the composites were performed at the frequency band between 0.5 and 18.0 GHz using a vector network analyzer with a 7 mm coaxial air line.     

三维夹芯层连织物透波复合材料性能研究

考察了玻璃纤维三维夹芯层连织物/氰酸酯(CE)复合材料的透波性能, 并与夹芯层连织物/环氧树脂复合材料和蜂窝夹层结构复合材料进行了对比。研究发现: 实验频段范围内三维夹芯层连织物/氰酸酯复合材料的平均透波率高于蜂窝夹层结构复合材料和夹芯层连织物/环氧树脂复合材料; 夹芯层连织物/氰酸酯复合材料的透波率受电磁波入射角度影响较小, 并且在芯柱高度为8 mm时有最大值, 平行经向入射的透波率略大于平行纬向入射的透波率, 8~12 GHz频率的透波率略大于12~18 GHz的透波率; 由于反射作用, 面板增强后夹芯层连织物/氰酸酯复合材料的透波率下降明显。      

复合材料中碳纤维的铺设方式对吸波性能的影响

实验采用东华大学自制的碳纤维作为吸波剂，在基体环氧树脂中平行排列，制备出了吸波复合材料。采用矢量网络分析仪在2~18GHz波段，对复合材料的吸波性能进行测试。结果表明：复合材料的吸波性能不仅与碳纤维含量有关，还与碳纤维在基体中的排列方式有关，当碳纤维含量为3．2％（质量分数）时，吸波复合材料最大反射衰减为-18．64dB，反射率〈-10dB的频率带宽为2．6GHz，同时采用电磁理论对材料的吸收机理进行了探讨。     

Mechanical behavior of sandwich panels with hollow Al–Si tubes core construction

A new type of lightweight sandwich panels consisting of vertically aligned hollow Al–Si alloy tubes as core construction and carbon fiber composite face sheets was designed. The hollow Al–Si alloy tubes were fabricated using precision casting and were bonded to the face sheets using an epoxy adhesive. The out-of-plane compression (i.e. core crushing), in-plane compression, and three-point bending response of the panels were tested until failure. The hollow Ai–Si alloy tubes core configuration show superior specific strength under crushing compared to common metallic and stochastic foam cores. Under in-plane compression and three-point bending, the buckling of face sheets and debonding of hollow cores from the face sheets were observed. Simple analytical relationships based on the concepts of mechanics of materials were provided for the compression tests, which estimate the sandwich panels’ strength with high fidelity. For three-point bending, detailed finite element analysis was used to model the response and initial failure of the sandwich panels.     

Controlling bubble density in MWNT/polymer nanocomposite foams by MWNT surface modification

Polymer nanocomposite foams are promising substitutes for polymeric foams. Carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposite foams possess high strength, low density, and can be made conductive. Creating polymer foams with controlled foam morphology is of great importance for controlling foam properties. The foam morphology is influenced by the foaming conditions and filler properties. For carbon nanotube/polymer composite foams, dispersion state and aspect ratio of the carbon nanotubes have been shown to influence the bubble density and bubble size. In the current study, the influence of carbon nanotube surface chemistry on the bubble density of multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate), MWNT/PMMA, nanocomposite foams was investigated. The surface of the MWNTs with controlled aspect ratio was covalently modified with glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE). Surface modified MWNT/PMMA nanocomposite foams were produced using a supercritical carbon dioxide foaming process. At constant MWNT concentration, the bubble density of polymer nanocomposite foams filled with GPE surface modified MWNT was found to be several times higher than that of polymer nanocomposite foams filled with nitric acid treated MWNT. After the MWNTs were modified with GPE, the surface chemistry of the MWNT became the dominant factor in determining the bubble density while the MWNT aspect ratio became less influential.