Performance of radar absorbing nanocomposites by waveguide measurements

Abstract

Sol-gel synthesis has been investigated in order to produce stoichiometric compositions of Ba 3 Co 2 Fe 24 O 41 (Co 2 Z) at lower calcination temperatures, using citric acid as quelant complex. Using this method, Co 2 Z 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 Ba 3 Co 2 Fe 24 O 41 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.