Design, preparation and microwave absorbing properties of resin matrix composites reinforced by SiC fibers with different electrical properties

• SSMASs have better microwave absorbing properties in smaller thickness.
• SSMASs can be realized by SiC fibers with different electrical resistivity.
• Resistivity of SiC fibers can be regulated by adjusting surface characteristics.
• The bandwidth of SSMASs at reflectivity below −10 dB can reach 11.6 GHz.

One kind of sandwich structure microwave absorbing structures (SSMASs) derived from Salisbury absorbers is reported. The impedance characteristics of SSMASs are analyzed, and the mechanisms of broadening microwave absorbing bandwidth are interpreted by Smith chart. In order to realize SSMASs, high electrical resistivity SiC fibers with Si–C–O surface layers and low electrical resistivity SiC fibers with pyrocarbon surface layers are employed and analyzed by SEM, XPS, AES and HRTEM. The conductive model of SiC fibers with pyrocarbon layers is built and electrical resistivity simulation is done. The SSMASs are fabricated by employing plain woven SiC fiber fabrics with high and low electrical resistivity as reinforcements of dielectric layers and lossy layer, respectively. The microwave absorbing properties of SSMASs are measured and compared with simulated results. The results show that the experimental and simulated results are in good agreement, the SSMASs have better wideband microwave absorbing properties, and the microwave absorbing bandwidth at reflectivity below −10 dB can reach 11.6 GHz.