Improvement in absorption of microwaves by incorporating additives in silica phenolic composite

A method of adding RAM directly in silica phenolic composite was tested. Due to direct incorporation of RAM, the resultant composite not only can show microwave absorption at normal conditions but can sustain this capability at high heat fluxes. Such RAM added composite becomes more applicable for materials which are exposed to high temperatures. Two different RAM added silica fibre phenolic composites were developed and their RF-absorptions were compared with pure silica fibre phenolic sample. It was found that depending on the type of RAM their RF-absorption can be enhanced. Strength and ablation properties of the resultant composites were also found to alter with the addition of RAM in the composite. (author)