Evaluation of the Absorbing Performance of Radar-absorbing Structure with Periodic Pattern after the Low-velocity Impact

Abstract

In this paper, the microwave absorbing characteristics after the impact of the radar-absorbing structure (RAS) consisting of periodic pattern sheet (PPS) and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) were experimentally investigated. The fabricated RAS effectively absorbed the microwave in the X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz). In order to induce the damage to the RAS, a low-velocity impact test with various impact energy of 15, 40, and 60 J was conducted. Afterward, the impact damage was observed by using visual inspection, non-destructive test, and image processing method. Moreover, the absorbing performance of intact and damaged RAS was measured by the free -space measurement system. The experiment results revealed that the delamination damage from the impact energy of 15 J did not considerably affect the microwave absorbing performance of the RAS. However, fiber breakage and penetration damage with a relatively large damaged area were occuured when the impact energy was increased up to 40 J and 60 J, and these failures significantly degraded the microwave absorbing characteristics of the RAS.