Development of structural materials exhibiting dielectric and magnetic loss at radio frequencies

Technical Report · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/380369· OSTI ID:380369

Duke, Jr, J R; Apen, P G; Hoisington, M

This is the final report of a one-year, Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The reduction of radio frequency (RF) return from military assets has been of critical interest for the last twenty years. New materials are required that not only provide a reduction in specular and travelling wave RF energy, but also function mechanically in primary structural applications. Typical radar attenuating material (RAM) is structurally parasitic and its utilization decreases the vehicle range by adding significant weight. New conducting and semiconducting polymers have demonstrated potential for RF absorption and can be incorporated into newly developed isotropic structural foams developed from laser target technology at LANL to absorb RF energy. Successful implementation of this technology will lead to broad-band absorbers, light-weight absorbers and radar-absorbing structures (RAS) that can be applied to existing aircraft or integrated into new designs. These new materials also show a high potential to be developed into {open_quotes}smart{close_quotes} structures, i.e., structures that adapt to the threat environment and optimize their absorption.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 380369
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--96-3221; ON: DE97000312
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ABSORPTION
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
DIVINYLBENZENE
FOAMS
IMIDES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLYMERS
POLYSTYRENE
RADAR
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SHEAR
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE