Co/graphite based light weight microwave absorber for electromagnetic shielding and stealth applications

The magnetic, thermal, thermo-mechanical, electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of Co/graphite loaded polystyrene composites prepared by melt blending and injection molding techniques are studied in X-band (8.4–12.4 GHz) for seeking their usage as efficient light weight microwave absorbers. For profound understanding of electromagnetic absorption process at micro level, the advanced SEM and x-ray diffraction testing of the composites are carried out. The magnetic properties of the prepared Co/graphite loaded polystyrene composites are studied using the vibrating sample magnetometer. The thermal stability and thermo-mechanical properties of the prepared composites are analyzed by thermo gravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis, respectively. The complex permittivity and permeability values of the prepared composite samples in X-band of microwave frequency are extracted from the scattering data recorded during the vector network analyzer measurements. The minimum reflection loss (maximum absorption loss) of −32.02 dB (99.94%) is achieved at 10.13 GHz for Co/graphite loaded polystyrene composite with the excess loading of graphite flakes for sample thickness of 1.8 mm. High absorption loss, light weight and low thickness of the proposed multicomponent Co/graphite loaded polystyrene composites make them promising candidates for electromagnetic shielding and stealth applications.