Fast estimate of plane wave attenuation of conductive powders for rapid deployment of customized cement based microwave absorbing solutions

Abstract

Enhancing the electromagnetic absorption properties of pozzolanic cement provides scope for low cost realisation of frequency screened buildings. Electromagnetic wave attenuation attribute of conductive filler inclusions determines the absorption properties of filler loaded cement mortar. A transmission line based rapid measurement technique for the speedy estimate of microwave attenuation of conductive fillers is presented, providing quick approximates of cement mortar thickness for realizing customized absorption loss. Ash from three units of steel plant including EAF, AoD, and ARS units is investigated. Coaxial transmission line supports TEM propagation, hence is well suited for estimating plane wave characteristics. Ash filled coaxial transmission structures are subjected to scattering matrix measurements in the frequency range 800 MHz-4GHz. Plane wave attenuation is estimated from the scattering matrix transfer coefficient (S21). Ashes guarantee minimum 10 dB/m attenuation in the specified frequency range with ash from ARS unit providing loss over 50 dB/m. The database of customized cement mortar (composite) thickness for realizing varied absorption losses, incorporating ARS ash, is projected. The presented technique reduces the requirement of anechoic chambers, broad band horns, and liability of prototyping large mortar samples (all frequency dependent), for estimating shielding properties of conductive filler loaded cement mortar composites, over wide band Cement panels with customized absorption loss providing scope as low cost solution for managing device co-location issues encountered in evaluating EMI/EMC concerns is future IoT based systems.