Laboratory study of electromagnetic waves reflectivity of certain materials

Knowledge of the materials´ properties of reflection of electromagnetic waves (EMW) is necessary for understanding and modeling propagation, especially inside buildings and in urban areas. This paper presents the results of experimental determinations of these properties for several materials (Aluminium, Melamine Faced Fiberboard, and Gypsum Drywall slabs) in a semi-anechoic chamber, at several frequencies, in the band from 2.00 to 3.00 GHz. The results show that aluminum is a good reflector, which was expected, but that melamine hardboard reflects EMW nearly as well as aluminum. The material used for drywall is less reflective at almost all frequencies. The results also show a fairly significant dependence of reflection properties on frequency, as reflected power decreases with frequency.