Design and optimization of mechanical and electromagnetic properties of GFRP composite

چکیده مقاله

A glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite is usually used in radome to protect telecommunication equipment against environmental and mechanical damage. Therefore, the electromagnetic performance and mechanical durability of composite radomes are very important. The purpose of the present study is to optimize the mechanical (Young’s modulus) and electromagnetic (dielectric loss tangent) properties of GFRP composite radome. The parameters of the fibers type (E series, D series and E/D series), the resin type (epoxy and polyester) and the composite manufacturing method (manual layering, vacuum bag, and vacuum infusion) have been considered to optimize the final cost, and the mechanical and electromagnetic properties of the composite radome. The gray relational grade technique and Taguchi method were used to obtain the optimum conditions of the parameters. It was observed that the values of Young’s modulus, dielectric loss tangent, and final cost of the composite radome can be improved simultaneously using E series glass fibers, polyester resin, and vacuum infusion process.