Impedance matching optimization of SiCf/Si3N4–SiOC composites for excellent microwave absorption properties

Abstract SiC fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (SiCf-CMCs) are considered to be one of the most promising materials in the electromagnetic (EM) stealth of aero-engines, which is expected to achieve strong absorption and broad-band performance. Multiscale structural design was applied to SiCf/Si3N4–SiOC composites by construction of micro/nanoscale heterogeneous interfaces and macro double-layer impedance matching structure. SiCf/Si3N4–SiOC composites were fabricated by using SiC fibers with different conductivities and SiOC–Si3N4 matrices with gradient impedance structures to improve impedance matching effectively. Owing to its unique structure, SiCf/Si3N4–SiOC composites (A3-composites) achieved excellent EM wave absorption performance with a minimum reflection coefficient (RCmin) of −25.1 dB at 2.45 mm and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.0 GHz at 2.85 mm in X-band. Moreover, double-layer SiCf/Si3N4–SiOC with an improved impedance matching structure obtained an RCmin of −56.9 dB and an EAB of 4.2 GHz at 3.00 mm, which means it can absorb more than 90% of the EM waves in the whole X-band. The RC is less than −8 dB at 2.6–2.8 mm from RT to 600 °C in the whole X-band, displaying excellent high-temperature absorption performance. The results provide a new design opinion for broad-band EM absorbing SiCf-CMCs at high temperatures.