The Impact of Structure of Shielding Textiles on the Attenuation of Electromagnetic Waves in the Microwave Range

The aim of the study is to identify and compare the attenuation of electromagnetic waves at 1.161 GHz and 2.45 GHz frequency between uncoated and coated woven fabric samples wherein the metal contained yarns were used in weft direction with increasing quantity per 10.5 mm long repeat of fabric length. Plain weave fabric samples were made of three different types of metal contained yarns in weft direction. The quantity of metal contained yarns per one centimeter was increased by every sample. In addition, samples were coated with polyurethane and graphite layers. The characteristics (thickness and surface density) of fabric samples were determined. The attenuation of electromagnetic (EM) waves was measured and compared for uncoated and coated samples. Two horn antennae and network analyzer were used to take measurements at 1.161 GHz and 2.45 GHz. The graphite coating made the attenuation higher for the samples with less content of metal contained yarns, but for the samples with bigger content of metal contained weft yarns, this improvement was inessential.