Radar Absorbing Properties of Barium Hexaferrite Accompanying with Cu Powders in Polymer Composite Coatings

Radar, which is an electronic and electromagnetic system that works with the use of radio waves to detect and locate objects, has led to the need for radar absorber materials for some military applications, especially for defence and security. In this study, barium hexaferrite and copper powders were used to investigate a radar absorbing composite material. Barium hexaferrite powders were synthesized by Sol-Gel method. Barium hexaferrite and copper powders were added to a polyurethane resin at different loading levels to interpolate the radar absorption property. Metal substrates were covered with these polymeric composite materials. Characterization tests such as X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and scratch test were performed. For evaluating the radar absorbing properties of reinforced composites, a Network Analyzer was used. It was concluded that use of barium hexaferrite and copper powders improved absorbing activity of the coatings. Increasing the amount of barium hexaferrite and copper powders in the coatings, increased the radar absorption performance. Besides, very good synergistic effects were obtained in between barium hexaferrite and Cu powders. The reason for this is thought to be their own individual magnetic properties and electrical that work in the radar absorption mechanism.