Bio-inspired Nacre-like Composite for Radar Antenna Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites used in radar antenna covers face challenges with delamination and back protrusion under impact loads, failing to provide desired stiffness and wave-transparent performance while maintaining mechanical properties and low dielectric constants.
Innovation Solution
A high-velocity impact-resistant wave-transparent composite with a bio-inspired nacre-like interlaminar toughening structure, comprising a soft-hard alternating nacre-like structure constructed by a low-dielectric sheet material and a resin, and a resin-filled aerogel prepared using α-ZrP nanosheets and cellulose, which enhances interlaminar bonding strength and wave-transparent performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber-reinforced polymer composites are used for radar antenna covers, then wave-transparent performance and lightweight properties are improved, but interlaminar bonding strength deteriorates leading to delamination under impact load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bio-inspired nacre-like interlaminar toughening structure composed of alternating soft and hard layers. The soft layers (silicone rubber or epoxy resin) provide flexibility and energy absorption, while the hard layers (α-ZrP aerogel) provide structural support and crack resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to simultaneously improve interlaminar bonding strength while maintaining wave-transparent performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing the nacre-like toughening structure specifically at the interlaminar interfaces between composite layers, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized intervention targets the specific weakness (interlaminar bonding) without compromising the overall wave-transparent performance of the radar antenna cover.
2Strength
If traditional interlaminar toughening structures are used, then impact resistance is improved, but dielectric constant increases reducing wave-transparent performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs α-ZrP aerogel as the hard layer in the nacre-like structure. Aerogels are highly porous materials with extremely low density and low dielectric constants. The porous structure provides excellent energy absorption and impact resistance while maintaining low dielectric properties that ensure superior wave-transparent performance for radar applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dielectric parameter by selecting materials with inherently low dielectric constants (α-ZrP aerogel and silicone rubber/epoxy resin) for the interlaminar toughening structure. This parameter selection ensures that the impact-resistant interlaminar structure does not compromise the wave-transparent performance required for radar antenna covers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite exhibits improved interlaminar performance, increased critical energy release rate, and effective inhibition of delamination and damage from external impacts, while maintaining low dielectric properties and high wave-transparent performance.
Implementation Method 1
assembling an α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) nanosheet mixture by directional freezing to construct an α-ZrP aerogel with an oriented continuous network structure
Implementation Method 2
infusing a resin into the α-ZrP aerogel to form a bio-inspired nacre-like toughening structure with the soft-hard alternating nacre-like structure
Data Source
AI summary
An high-velocity impact-resistant wave-transparent composite, including an upper composite layer, a lower composite layer, and a bio-inspired nacre-like toughening structure arranged therebetween. The toughening structure has a soft-hard alternating nacre-like structure, and is made from a low dielectric constant sheet material and a resin. The upper composite layer and the lower composite layer are each independently made of a fiber-reinforced resin composite, a foam material, or a honeycomb material. A preparation method of the high-velocity impact-resistant wave-transparent composite is further provided.