Fabrication of radar absorbing structure (RAS) using GFR-nano composite and spring-back compensation of hybrid composite RAS shells

In this research, to develop a RAS, three-phase composites consisted of {glass fiber}/{epoxy}/{nano size carbon materials} were fabricated, and their radar absorbing efficiency was measured on the X-band frequency range (8–12 GHz). Although some of GFR (Glass Fiber–Reinforced)-nano composites showed outstanding absorbing efficiency, during their manufacturing process, undesired thermal deformation (so called spring-back) was produced. The main cause of spring-back is thought to be temperature drop from the cure temperature to the room temperature. In order to reduce spring-back, two types of hybrid composite shells were fabricated with {carbon/epoxy} and {glass/epoxy} composites. Their spring-back was measured by experiment and predicted by finite element analysis (ANSYS). To fabricate desired final geometry, a spring-back compensated mold was designed and manufactured. Using the mold, hybrid composite shells with good dimensional tolerance were fabricated.