Multi-functional aramid/epoxy composite for stealth space hypervelocity impact shielding system

Abstract

In this study, a stealth space hypervelocity impact shielding system containing electromagnetic wave absorption capability and impact shielding system was presented and verified from design to fabrication. To improve the microwave absorption performance of the proposed system, the electrical modification of aramid fabric via a RF magnetron silver-sputtering coating technique was used. The proposed thin stealth space shielding composite demonstrated excellent microwave absorption performance in the target frequency range from C-band to Ku-band (4-18 GHz) without using carbonaceous nano-conductive material in a polymer matrix (4.970-mm total thickness) while maintaining the thin total thickness. To check the impact shielding performance, hypervelocity impact experiments were conducted using two-stage light-gas gun projectile velocities between 2.7 and 3.2 km/s. The average specific energy absorbed of silver-coated aramid/epoxy composites was comparable to that of pristine (uncoated) material. The type and shape of failures in the pristine and silver-coated aramid/epoxy composites were similar. In addition, interlaminar shear-strength (ILSS) tests were performed to check the mechanical performance of the proposed shielding system according to ASTM D 2344. Based on these results, our proposed stealth space shielding system proved to be a promising candidate for military satellite systems.