Shielding Effectiveness of Zeolite: Chopped Strands Composites for Radar and Wider Frequency Applications

Abstract

In this study, zeolite-chopped strands composites were produced by using traditional mixed oxide technique. The single phase natural zeolite compound was generated after sintering at 1000 °C for 4 h. For the structural investigation, various quantities powders of zeolite–chopped strands composites were generated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried out for the structural analysis, which indicated that second phase did not form in zeolite. Additionally, the zeolite/strands composites were manufactured by hot pressing using the compositions of zeolite-chopped strands in various proportions and epoxy. The zeolite-chopped strands compound formed in various weights, and epoxy resin were used to fabricate microwave shielding effectiveness composites. Utilizing a two-port vector network analyser (VNA), the microwave shielding effect of zeolite/chopped strands composites were investigated in the range of 6.5-17.5 GHz. At a thickness of 1.5 mm, a minimum of -40.52 dB shielding efficacy value was achieved at 17.17 GHz. The zeolite-chopped strands compounds were produced as composite and their features were characterized for shielding effectiveness. The content of zeolite and chopped strands in the samples may be modulated for the larger and needed frequency bands to change the microwave shielding effect performance.