Fabrication and electromagnetic characteristics of electromagnetic wave absorbing sandwich structures

The radar absorbing structures (RAS) having sandwich structures in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) frequencies were designed and fabricated. We added conductive fillers such as carbon black and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) to composite prepregs and polyurethane foams so as to efficiently increase the absorbing capacity of RAS. In order to improve the mechanical stiffness of RAS, we adopted the sandwich structures made of composite face sheets and foam cores. Glass fabric/epoxy composites containing conductive carbon black and carbon fabric/epoxy composites were used for the face sheets. Polyurethane foams containing MWNT were used as the core material. Their permittivity in the X-band was measured using the transmission line technique. The reflection loss characteristics for multi-layered sandwich structures were calculated using the theory of transmission and reflection in a multi-layered medium. Three kinds of specimens were fabricated and their reflection losses in the X-band were measured using the free space technique. Experimental results were in good agreement with simulated ones in 10-dB absorbing bandwidth.     

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.     

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.     

Novel optimization method of single square FSS impinged and cascaded radar absorbing composites

It is well known that radar absorbing potentiality of existing magneto-dielectric composites can be significantly enhanced by the application of frequency selective surface (FSS) and cascaded electromagnetic (EM) structures. But the optimization of such complex EM structures and validation of the adopted optimization strategy is still a very challenging task for the researchers. Therefore, in this study, an effective effort has been made for the optimization and the corresponding validation for Single Square FSS (SS-FSS) impinged and cascaded radar wave absorbers using advanced computational EM software’s like FEldberechnung fur Korper mit beliebiger Oberflache – a German acronym (FEKO) and high frequency structure simulator (HFSS). In addition, a critical analysis of dielectric constant (ε′) has been carried out to select the best combination of composites for the development of efficient radar wave absorbers. A comparison between optimized and simulated results have been carried out to examine the effect of advanced EM approaches over reflection loss (RL) characteristics of composite radar absorbing materials (CRAMs). A rapid change in radar absorption properties of composites has been observed after the application of SSFSS and cascading. A SS-FSS impinged composite has been found to provide a wide absorption bandwidth of 3.6 GHz at X-band. A cascaded absorber having layer thickness 1.8 mm provides a peak RL of ?42.6 dB at 10.6 GHz with an absorption bandwidth of 2.5 GHz. The strong agreement between mathematical model, HFSS and FEKO results clearly reflects the efficiency of adopted approach for distinct practical EM applications.     

Microwave absorption properties of FSS-impacted composites as a broadband microwave absorber

The development of a cost-effective microwave absorber with wide bandwidth corresponding to reflection loss (RL)?≤??10 dB is still a very challenging task. A sugarcane bagasse-based agricultural waste composite has been analyzed for its elemental contents. The combination of elements is suitable for its possible usage as a cost-effective microwave absorbing material. Therefore, this composite has been subjected to morphological and electromagnetic studies to analyze its microwave absorbing behavior. The frequency dependent complex dielectric permittivity and complex magnetic permeability values were obtained using a transmission/reflection waveguide approach in the X-band. Furthermore, the effect of the Minkowski loop frequency selective surface (FSS) was studied over the absorption capability of the composite. It was found that the application of FSS leads to a reduction in thickness up to 2.9 mm and an enhancement in absorption bandwidth up to 3.6 GHz. The FSS patterned composite shows a remarkable performance with peak RL of ?28.4 dB at 10.7 GHz and absorption bandwidth of 3.6 GHz.     

EM Analysis of Metamaterial Based Radar Absorbing Structure (RAS) for MillimeterWave Applications

The EM performance analysis of a multilayered metamaterial based radar absorbing structure (RAS) has been presented in this paper based on transmission line transfer matrix (TLTM) method for millimeter wave applications. The proposed metamaterial-RAS consists of cascaded DPS and MNG layers of identical configurations. It exhibits extremely low reflection (< 42 dB) at 95 GHz and absorbs more than 95% power of incident wave over the frequency range of 90.4- 100 GHz without metal backing for both TE and TM polarizations. In view of aerospace applications, the reflection, transmission, and absorption characteristics of the proposed metamaterial-RAS are also studied at different incident angles (0°, 30°, and 45°) for both polarizations.     

碳/氧化铝/二氧化硅涂层的介电和吸波性能研究

研究了炭黑或碳纤维填充氧化铝/二氧化硅吸波涂层在X波段范围的介电和吸波性能. 结果表明: 吸波涂层的复介电常数随着炭黑或碳纤维含量的增加而增大. 当吸收剂含量相同时, 填充碳纤维的吸波涂层比填充炭黑的吸波涂层具有更大的复介电常数. 当吸收剂含量大于5wt%时, 吸波涂层的介电常数在低频急剧增加, 且随频率增大而减少, 出现频散效应. 反射率测试结果表明: 吸波涂层的最大吸收峰随涂层厚度的增大向低频移动, 当涂层中炭黑含量为2wt%、厚度为1.8 mm时, 吸波涂层在9.2~12.4 GHz范围内反射率小于-10 dB, 具有较好的吸波效果.     

Critical analysis of frequency selective surfaces embedded composite microwave absorber for frequency range 2–8 GHz

Radar wave absorbers are important for the reduction of radar cross section of the target for stealth applications. Earlier the radars were available in the frequency range 8–12 GHz (X-band) and 12–18 GHz (Ku-Band). Due to recent advancement in radar technology, radars are now available from 2 to 18 GHz frequency range. So there is an urgent need to develop such a material that can work as radar wave absorber in the lower frequency band of the microwave spectrum i.e., 2–8 GHz. For this purpose the selection of material is an important criterion as the radar wave absorption depends primarily upon the material characteristics i.e., complex permittivity and complex permeability. For lower frequency radar wave absorption, the material must also possess the conducting property along with dielectric and magnetic properties. Therefore, an attempt has been made to develop a radar wave absorbing nano-composite material by selecting constituent materials with such inherent properties that can work for the absorption of radar wave in the lower frequency range. It is observed that the developed composite give good absorption in the lower frequency range but with narrow radar wave absorption bandwidth (4–7 GHz). So we have explored the possibility of the efficient use of an advanced electromagnetic technique like frequency selective surface to enhance the radar wave absorption bandwidth in the lower frequency region of the microwave frequency spectrum and precaution has been taken such that complexity due to FSS can be avoided. It has been observed that the synthesised single layer absorber with single square loop, cross dipole and Jerusalem cross FSSs provides radar wave absorption bandwidth in the frequency range 2–8 GHz.     

Processing of graphene nanoribbon based hybrid composite for electromagnetic shielding

The advent of graphene heralded by the recent studies on carbon based conducting polymer composites has been a motivation for the use of graphene as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material. One of the variants of graphene, graphene nanoribbon (GNR) shows remarkably different properties from graphene. The EMI shielding effectiveness of the composite material mainly depends on fillers’ intrinsic conductivity, dielectric constant and aspect ratio. We have synthesized graphene nanoribbon (GNR) – Polyaniline (PANI) – epoxy composite film for effective shielding material in the X-band frequency range of 8.2–12.4 (GHz). We have performed detailed studies of the EMI shielding effect and the performance of the composite and found that the composite shows ∼−40 dB shielding which is sufficient to shield more than 95% of the EM waves in X Band. We checked the shielding effectiveness of the composite film by varying the GNR percentage and the thickness of the film. The strength properties of the synthesized composited were also studied with a aim to have a material having both high strength and EMI shielding properties.     

Polarization Independent Dual-band Metamaterial Based Radar Absorbing Structure (RAS) for MillimeterWave Applications

The EM analysis of multi-layered metamaterial based radar absorbing structure (RAS) with dual-band characteristics in millimeter wave frequency regime has been carried out in this paper using transmission line transfer matrix (TLTM) method for TE and TM polarizations. The proposed metamaterial-based RAS exhibits dual-band characteristics at centre frequencies 120 GHz and 175 GHz with very low power reflection. It absorbs more than 90% power of incidence wave over the frequency range from 111-131 GHz at first resonance and from 164.5-185 GHz at second resonance without metal backing plate, which is desirable for stealth applications. It also showed very low (< 1.6%) transmission over the frequency of interest for both TE and TM polarizations. The proposed metamaterial-RAS has potential applications in the design of multi-band sensor systems and RCS reduction in millimeter wave frequency regime.     

Microwave properties of the talc filled polypropylene

A microwave bench operating in the frequency range 8–12 GHz (X-band) was used to investigate some of the electrical characteristics of the talc filled polypropylene composite. The impedance, return loss, and insertion loss are measured as a function of frequency in the X-band range. It was found that electromagnetic waves interact with the material via the impurities, inclusions and voids existing in the bulk composite. The impedance, return loss and insertion loss show relatively low frequency dependence. Also, the return loss and the impedance exhibit a resonance behaviour at 11.91 GHz. The results suggest that this composite material could be used in some microwave applications.     

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.     

Electromagnetic characteristic and microwave absorbing performance of different carbon-based hydrogenated acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber composites

Hydrogenated acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (HNBR) was mixed with carbon fiber (CF), conductive carbon black (CCB) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to prepare microwave absorbing composites, their complex permittivity was measured in microwave frequencies (2–18 GHz), and their electromagnetic characteristics and microwave absorbing performance were studied. The real part and imaginary part of permittivity of the composites increased with increasing carbon filler loading, showing dependency on filler type. The microwave reflection loss of the composites also depended on the loading and type of fillers. The matching thickness of the absorber layer decreased with increasing permittivity, while the matching frequency decreased with increasing layer thickness. The minimum reflection loss was −49.3 dB for HNBR/MWCNT (100/10) composite, while −13.1 dB for HNBR/CCB (100/15) composite and −7.1 dB for HNBR/CF (100/30) composite. The efficient microwave absorption of HNBR/MWCNT composites is accounted from high conduction loss and dielectric relaxation of MWCNT, and strong interface scattering.     

A Novel Metamaterial FSS-based Structure for Wideband Radome Applications

A novel metamaterial based FSS (frequency selective surfaces) structure is presented in this paper for wideband airborne radome applications. The proposed metamaterial-FSS structure consists of three layers, where a DPS (double positive sign) layer is sandwiched between a MNG (μ-negative) and ENG (ε- negative) layer, exhibits very good bandpass characteristics inside the operational band along with excellent roll-off characteristics outside the band. The EM performance analysis of the proposed structure has been carried out using transmission line transfer matrix (TLTM) method, which shows excellent bandpass characteristics over a wide frequency range. The transmission efficiency is over 95% both at normal incidence and at high incidence angles of 30°, and 60°. The frequency range extends from S- to X-band (2.5-9.9 GHz). In view of streamlined airborne radome applications, the reflection properties and insertion phase delay (IPD) are also determined at high incident angles.     

Dielectric properties and microwaves response behavior of polypyrrole-derived N-doped carbon nanotubes

A series of N-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) have been synthesized via a temperature-controlled annealing of polypyrrole (PPy) hierarchical nanostructures. The microstructures, dielectric properties and microwaves response behavior of these NCNTs were systematically investigated. The results indicate that initial pyrrolic N in PPy was gradually converted into pyridinic and graphitic N during the annealing process. NCNT prepared at 700 °C exhibits excellent broadband microwave absorption performance, where its effective absorption bandwidth (reflection loss value lower than ? 10 dB) reaches 8.20 GHz in the frequency range of 9.80–18.00 GHz. A model refers to conductive loss and polarization relaxation was adopted to explain the high-performance microwave absorption. This research greatly expands the development of N-doped CNTs for the application in microwave areas.

     

Preparation of nanosize polyaniline and its utilization for microwave absorber

Polyaniline powder in nanosize has been synthesized by chemical oxidative route. XRD, FTIR, and TEM were used to characterize the polyaniline powder. Crytallite size was estimated from XRD profile and also ascertained by TEM in the range of 15 to 20 nm. The composite absorbers have been prepared by mixing different ratios of polyaniline into procured polyurethane (PU) binder. The complex permittivity (epsilon' - jepsilon") and complex permeability (mu' - jmu") were measured in X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz) using Agilent network analyzer (model PNA E8364B) and its software module 85071 (version 'E'). Measured values of these parameters were used to determine the reflection loss at different frequencies and sample thicknesses, based on a model of a single layered plane wave absorber backed by a perfect conductor. An optimized polyaniline/PU ratio of 3:1 has given a minimum reflection loss of -30 dB (99.9% power absorption) at the central frequency 10 GHz and the bandwidth (full width at half minimum) of 4.2 GHz over whole X-band (8.2 to 12.4 GHz) in a sample thickness of 3.0 mm. The prepared composites can be fruitfully utilized for suppression of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and reduction of radar signatures (stealth technology).     

导电聚苯胺/ 羰基铁粉复合吸波材料

借助导电聚合物和软磁金属良好的电磁波吸收特性, 制备了导电聚苯胺/ 羰基铁粉复合材料。实验中把导电聚苯胺与羰基铁粉以2∶8 的比例制成复合粉, 然后再将复合粉与聚脲粘和剂以2∶8 的比例混合成吸波涂料。检测结果显示, 当聚苯胺电导率为10 -2 S/ cm、羰基铁粉平均颗粒尺寸为1～2μm, 在2～12 GHz 的频段范围可获得优于- 10 dB 的吸波性能。分析表明, 这类材料有望发展成宽频、强吸收、可人为设计特殊频段的优良吸波材料。     

Controllable synthesis of Ni/NiO@porous carbon hybrid composites towards remarkable electromagnetic wave absorption and wide absorption bandwidth

The reasonable design of the composition of the composite materials is of great significance to optimized the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance.Herein,the Ni/NiO@C hybrid composites with tunable Ni proportion were successfully synthesized through a two-step process.With the assistance of X-ray diffraction with refinement treatment,the specific proportion of Ni of as-obtained hybrid com-posites could be obtained.Employing controlling calcination time to adjust the Ni content of Ni/NiO@C hybrid composites,it has been found that the composite carbonized at 500 ℃ exhibited remarkable EM wave absorption with the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of-49.1 dB at 4.9 mm and the widest effective absorption bandwidth (EABmax) of 4.56 GHz at 2.1 mm.Moreover,by adjusting the Ni source,the optimal EM wave absorption performance could be achieved.Results illustrated that the N3PC with the Ni pro-portion of 13.17 ％ showed the RLmin as low as-51.1 d B at 2.4 mm and the EABmax was 5.12 GHz at 2.7 mm.It is worth noting that this work demonstrates the relevance of the composition and EM wave absorption performance of hybrid composites,which offers a feasible reference for the absorption mechanism of absorber.     

A carbonyl iron/carbon fiber material for electromagnetic wave absorption

A carbonyl iron/carbon fiber material consisting of carbon fibers grown on micrometer-sized carbonyl iron sphere, was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using a mixture of C2H2 and H2. The hollow-core carbon fibers (outer diameter: 140 nm and inner diameter: 40 nm) were composed of well-ordered graphene layers which were almost parallel to the long axis of the fibers. A composite (2 mm thick) consisting of the carbonyl iron/carbon fibers and epoxy resin demonstrated excellent electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption. Minimum reflection losses of -36 dB (99.95% of EM wave absorption) at 7.6 GHz and -32 dB (99.92% of EM wave absorption) at 34.1 GHz were achieved. The well-dispersed and network-like carbon fibers in the resin matrix affected the dielectric loss of the EM wave while the carbonyl iron affected the magnetic loss.     

On the measurement of microwave absorption of bulk YBaCuO superconductors in X-band (8–12 GHz)

Microwave absorption at the surface of highT _c YBaCUO superconducting sample has been determined in X-band by measuring VSWR. Power reflectivity >98% has been observed in the frequency range of 8·2–10·5 GHz indicating very low absorption at the surface. At some of the frequencies, however, negligible microwave loss has been observed.