Aging effect on the reflectivity measurements of polychloroprene matrices containing carbon black and carbonyl-iron powder

The effect of aging, arising from salt spray exposure, on the microwave reflectivity was studied for polychloroprene (CR) matrices, containing different kinds of active material in particulate form. The materials used as microwave absorbers in different contents were carbon black (CB) and carbonyl-iron powder (CIP). The microwave reflectivities were determined for the frequency range of 8-16 GHz, The formation of a superficial layer of iron oxide on CIP:CR composites was responsible for a reduction and change of microwave absorption towards a higher frequency. The reflectivity curves of CB:CR composites did not display any significant difference before and after the exposure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.