Aligned polycrystalline iron fiber/carbon fiber composites with enhanced microwave absorption properties and lightweight feature

In this study, microwave absorbers based on polycrystalline iron fiber (IF) and carbon fiber (CF) were prepared, and IF and CF were synchronously aligned by shear force to further tailoring the electromagnetic parameters of the absorbers. The electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption performance of aligned polycrystalline iron fiber/carbon fiber absorbers (ICF) were investigated at different relative locations between fibers and the electric field component of electromagnetic wave. Lightweight and thin absorbers with wide bandwidths were obtained under a lower content of 40 wt% due to the synchronously alignment and synergistic effect between the two fibers. Bandwidths of 9.0 GHz with reflection loss below − 5 dB were achieved at the thickness of 1.5 mm by aligned ICF absorbers.