Characterization of carbon fiber composite materials for RF applications

Abstract

Carbon Fiber Composite (CFC) materials have been used for decades in the aerospace, automotive, and naval industries. They have often been used because of their mechanical advantages. These advantageous characteristics have typically included low weight and high strength. It is also a benefit that CFC materials can be made into nearly any shape or size. With the abundant use of CFC materials, it seems desirable to better understand the electromagnetic applications of these materials. CFC materials consist of a non-conductive resin or epoxy in addition to conductive carbon fibers. The carbon fibers can be oriented and layered in many different configurations. The specific orientation and layering of the carbon fibers has a direct impact on its electrical characteristics. One specific characteristic of interest is the conductivity of CFC materials. The work in this paper deals with probing the conductivity characteristics of CFC materials for applications in antenna and radar design. Multiple layouts of carbon fiber are investigated. The DC conductivity was measured by applying a conductive epoxy to sample edges and using a milliohm meter. Shielding effectiveness was then predicted based on fundamental electromagnetics for conducting media. Finally, prototype dipole antennas made from CFC materials were investigated.

X-band microwave characterisation and analysis of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites

“…But the mechanism behind the differences in the permittivity obtained due to the fibre direction was not explained. In [16,17], the conductivity obtained from the direct current (DC) measurement (twoprobe and four-probe methods) was directly used for design of dipole antenna, while in fact the conductivity is frequency-dependent according to the Drude theory [18]. In Reference [19], the CFRP composite laminate was simulated as a number of conductive and dielectric layers alternately stacked together, which does not accurately represent the nature of the real structure.…”

Electromagnetic and Electronic Aerospace Conformal Load-Bearing Smart Skins: A Review

“…The conductivity of CFRP has also been analyzed using DC surface resistivity measurements [63] and wideband analysis of its attenuation using microstrip transmission lines [64]. In [65], a method to extract the conductivity of carbon fiber from the loss associated with a CFRP monopole antenna was proposed.…”

Integrated Optimization Design of Carbon Fiber Composite Framework for Small Lightweight Space Camera

“…Simultaneously, CFC has good designability. The content and performance of carbon fibers and laying method as well as the matrix properties determine the physical properties of CFC [14]. Thus, M40J was chosen to complete the framework design.…”