Investigation of Manufacturing and Characterization of Radar Absorbing Hybrid Structures

Significant development of radar systems after World War II has led to studying the interaction between electromagnetic waves at radar frequencies and different materials. One perspective of these studies is to ascertain ways of decreasing reflected waves. However, the applications have not been limited only to defense applications but also to different fields where human beings are exposed to electromagnetic waves to avoid potential health effects due to exposure to electromagnetic waves. Since the discovery of radar systems, many studies have focused on electromagnetic radiation and absorbing materials to design a material with good reflection loss. Therefore, this work aims to manufacture material with unique properties such as strong absorption of electromagnetic waves, lightweight and thickness, and cost-effectiveness using a composite hybrid structure reinforced by cobalt oxide (Co3O4), copper-copper oxide (Cu-Cu2O), and barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19). Chemical reduction and sol-gel were used for synthesizing reinforcement materials; barium hexaferrite, copper oxide, and cobalt oxide. Polyester resin was used as a matrix material. Synthesized powders were analyzed and characterized by using various characterization techniques such as differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffractions (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and particle size analysis. Three-Layer RAM structures were prepared layer by layer, and the concentration of the filler powders was the same in each layer. RAM structures were investigated using a vector network analyzer (VNA). Based on the radar absorbing analysis, the most effective absorption is possessed by sample RA5 50 wt.%, which IV consists of two layers of cobalt oxide and one layer of copper-copper oxide. The maximum value of the reflection loss was- 45 dB at a frequency of 10.25 GHz.The produced material can be used as a coating material due to its limited mechanical properties and is intended for military, medical, and household purposes.