Microwave absorbing paints and sheets based on carbonyl iron and polyaniline: measurement and simulation of their properties

This paper presents the processing and characterization of electromagnetic radiation absorbing paints and sheets based on magnetic and dielectric materials dispersed in polymeric matrices. Two different paint formulations containing carbonyl iron and/or polyaniline, using polyurethane as matrix, were prepared. Silicone sheets were also produced with polyaniline conducting polymer as filler. Measurements of the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability of the materials were also carried out. Simulations for the silicone sheets were performed in order to correlate the electromagnetic parameters with the material thickness. The paints absorbed 60 to 80% of the incident electromagnetic radiation and the silicone sheets absorbed 90%, indicating the material's radar absorbing potential.