Enhanced microwave-absorbing properties of FeCo magnetic film-functionalized silicon carbide fibers fabricated by a radio frequency magnetron method

Silicon carbide (SiC) fibers have potential application in microwave absorption materials in recent years. In this study, we provide a new method for improving the microwave-absorbing properties of SiC fibers. Magnetic FeCo films were fabricated on SiC fibers at low temperature and high vacuum by a radio frequency magnetron sputtering method. The properties of FeCo film/SiC fiber (FeCo/SiCf) composites were investigated. When compared with SiC fiber, the FeCo/SiCf composites exhibit excellent microwave-absorbing properties in the microwave range, with enhancements in the optimal reflectivity loss from −5.03 to −25.51 dB. This excellent performance may be because of the magnetic loss due to ferromagnetic resonance and interfacial polarization, thus inducing dielectric relaxation. In addition, the magnetic properties of FeCo/SiCf composites are significantly improved: the value of saturation magnetization reaches up to 41.45 emu/g and the coercivity is 116.27 Oe. In addition, the strength of SiC fiber remains at 99.17% after the fabrication process. The method provided in this study for enhancing the microwave-absorbing properties of FeCo/SiCf composites will pave a new way for the development of SiC microwave-absorbing materials.