Electromagnetic properties of three-dimensional woven carbon fiber fabric/epoxy composite

Abstract

To investigate the reinforcement architectures effect on the electromagnetic wave properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites, three-dimensional (3D) interlock woven fabric/epoxy composites, 3D interlock woven fabric with stuffer warp/epoxy composites, and 3D orthogonal woven fabric/epoxy composites were studied by the free-space measurement system. The results showed that the three types of 3D woven carbon fiber fabric/epoxy composites had a slight difference in electromagnetic wave properties and the absorption was their dominant radar absorption mechanism. The electromagnetic wave absorption properties of the three types of composites were more than 90% (below −10 dB) over the 11.2–18 GHz bandwidth, and more than 60% (below −4 dB) over the 8–12 GHz bandwidth. Compared with unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastics, the three kinds of 3D woven carbon fiber fabric/epoxy composites exhibited better electromagnetic wave absorption properties over a broadband frequency range of 8–18 GHz. Therefore, the three kinds of 3D woven composite are expected to be used as radar absorption structures due to their excellent mechanical properties and outstanding absorption capacity. The total electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of the three types of 3D carbon fiber woven composites are all larger than 46 dB over the 8–12 GHz bandwidth, which is evidence that the three types of 3D carbon fiber woven composites can be used as excellent shielding materials for electromagnetic interference.