Performance of radar absorbing nanocomposites by waveguide measurements

Abstract

Sol-gel synthesis has been investigated in order to produce stoichiometric compositions of Ba3Co2Fe24O41 (Co2Z) at lower calcination temperatures, using citric acid as quelant complex. Using this method, Co2Z ferrite could be synthesized at 950 °C, about 400 °C lower than that of conventional method. Nanocomposites (80:20% weight) of this ferrite with polychloroprene (CR) were obtained for the microwave absorption measurements by mixing, molding and curing mixtures of Ba3Co2Fe24O41 powders with polychloroprene and the additives of vulcanization. The microwave absorption measurements was carried out using the Transmission/Reflection method for the S and X-Ku bands and showed the best performance as Radar Absorber Material (RAM) in 8.0-16.0 GHz range. Thus, the material can be used by reducing the radar signature of the Brazilian Frigates' superstructures.

Keywords

• hexaferrite
• microwave absorption
• RAM
• X-Ku frequencies