Low-Profile Polymer Composite Radar Absorber Embedded With Frequency Selective Surface

Abstract

This paper proposed a novel design for a thin, lightweight polymer composite Radar Absorber (RA) with broadband bandwidth in the frequency range 2.8-9.6 GHz. A 3-mm-thick, thin polymer composite structure comprised of glass fiber, epoxy resin, and FSS films was then fabricated using the hand layup process. The β-phase behaviour enhanced polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through electrospinning was deposited on a frequency selective surface (FSS). The PVDF phase structure was evaluated using X-Ray diffraction (XRD). The formation of nanofibers was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A significant increase in the absorption of electromagnetic (EM) waves with a broad operational bandwidth is produced by the addition of FSS to the glass fiber. Experiments were carried out and assessed by comparing the results to numerical models in CST Microwave Studio, indicating that the RA integrated with PVDF coated FSS has an operational bandwidth of 2.8-9.6 GHz and a reflectivity of less than -10dB. Finally, the absorption and mechanical characteristics of the fabricated Radar Absorbing Structure (RAS) was also investigated.