Evaluation of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates in Radomes

Abstract

The present paper evaluates a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) of polypropylene (PP) and nitrile rubber (NBR), with and without carbon nanotube (CNT), with a potential application in structures that protect radar antennas, radomes. Morphological analysis, izod impact test, electromagnetic properties measurement and S-parameters were performed in order to verify its operational functioning. The presence of CNT affected the morphology of TPV, reducing the size of NBR particles. This enhanced impact strength results, besides the already known reinforcing effect of CNT on polymeric matrices. Electromagnetic parameters showed that both filled and unfilled TPV are low-loss materials. However, better impact result makes the filled TPV the most indicated material for radome application.