Numerical predictions for radar absorbing silicon carbide foams using a finite integration technique with a perfect boundary approximation

Modeling and prediction of electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of SiC foams as novel stealth materials in the X-band range of 8.2–12.4 GHz are presented. Appropriate material parameters, including the conductivity, volume fraction, cell size, thickness, and surface modified foam structure, are determined through optimization calculations, where the impedance difference between the SiC foam and free space is minimized. The minimum reflection coefficient, reaching −8 dB, is obtained when the SiC conductivity is about 2.27 S m−1, the volume fraction is 28%, and the thickness is 20 mm in the case of SiC foam. For surface modified foam, the reflection can be less than −10 dB throughout the entire band investigated. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)