Change of transmission characteristics of FSSs in hybrid composites due to residual stresses

The frequency selective surface (FSS) embedded hybrid composite materials have been developed to provide excellent mechanical and specific electromagnetic properties. Radar absorbing structures (RASs) are an example material that provides both radar absorbing properties and structural characteristics. The absorbing efficiency of an RAS can be improved using selected materials having special absorptive properties and structural characteristics and can be in the form of multi-layers or have a certain stacking sequence. However, residual stresses occur in FSS embedded composite structures after co-curing due to a mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the FSS and the composite material. In this study, to develop an RAS, the thermal residual stresses of FSS embedded composite structures were analyzed using finite element analysis, considering the effect of stacking sequence of composite laminates with square loop (SL) and double square loop (DSL) FSS patterns. The FSS radar absorbing efficiency was measured in the K-band frequency range of 21.6 GHz. Residual stress leads to a change in the deformation of the FSS pattern. Using these results, the effect of transmission characteristics with respect to the deformation on FSS pattern was analyzed using an FSS Simulator.