Tools & Databases
Common Radar Materials and their Scale Model Equivalents
| Radar Material | Radar Freq. | Dielectric Constant | Radar Reflect. | Scale Model Material | Sub-mm Freq. | Dielectric Constant | Sub-mm Reflect. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene | 10 GHz | 2.38 + i 0.0012 | 4.6% | HD Polyethylene | 160 GHz | 2.32 + i 0.0007 | 4.3% |
| Teflon | 35 GHz | 2.01 + i 0.0004 | 3.0% | Teflon | 520 GHz | 1.96 + i 0.003 | 2.8% |
| Nylon | 10 GHz | 3.12 + i 0.008 | 7.7% | Mylar | 520 GHz | 2.99 + i 0.083 | 7.1% |
| Plexiglass | 25 GHz | 2.59 + i 0.017 | 5.5% | Rexolite | 520 GHz | 2.50 + i 0.009 | 5.1% |
| Snow | 3 GHz | 1.20 + i 0.0003 | 0.2% | Polystyrene Foam | 520 GHz | 1.25 + i 0.0007 | 0.3% |
| Ice | 3 GHz | 3.2 + i 0.0009 | 8.0% | Loaded Plastic | 160 GHz | 3.20 + i 0.071 | 8.0% |
| Soil (loamy dry) | 3 GHz | 2.44 + i 0.001 | 4.8% | Loaded Plastic | 520 GHz | 2.66 + i 0.065 | 5.8% |
| Soil (sandy dry) | 10 GHz | 2.5 + i 0.005 | 5.1% | Loaded Plastic | 520 GHz | 2.66 + i 0.065 | 5.8% |
| Soil (moist) | 10 GHz | 3.2 + i 0.19 | 8.0% | Loaded Plastic | 160 GHz | 3.23 + i 0.18 | 8.2% |
| Asphalt | 10 GHz | 4.28 + i 0.1 | 12.1% | Loaded Plastic | 160 GHz | 4.2 + i 0.13 | 11.9% |
| Concrete | 35 GHz | 2.5 + i 0.65 | 5.8% | Loaded Plastic | 520 GHz | 2.59 + i 0.16 | 5.5% |
| Windshield glass | 10 GHz | 5.9 + i 0.15 | 17.3% | Schott AF-45 | 520 GHz | 5.90 + i 0.33 | 17.4% |
| Soda-borosilicate | 25 GHz | 4.65 + i 0.042 | 13.4% | Boron Nitride | 520 GHz | 4.84 + i 0.004 | 14.1% |
| Fused quartz | 3 GHz | 3.78 + i 0.0002 | 10.3% | Fused Quartz | 520 GHz | 3.78 + i 0.01 | 10.3% |
| Douglas fir | 3 GHz | 1.82 + i 0.047 | 2.2% | Balsa Wood | 520 GHz | 1.99 + i 0.051 | 2.9% |
| Mahogany | 3 GHz | 1.88 + i 0.047 | 2.5% | Balsa Wood | 520 GHz | 1.99 + i 0.051 | 2.9% |
| Yellow birch | 3 GHz | 2.13 + i 0.07 | 3.5% | Balsa Wood | 520 GHz | 1.99 + i 0.051 | 2.9% |
| Butyl rubber | 3 GHz | 2.35 + i 0.002 | 4.4% | HD Polyethylene | 520 GHz | 2.31 + i 0.002 | 4.3% |
| Tank Track Pad | 10 GHz | 11.3 + i 1.85 | 29.7% | Loaded Plastic | 160 GHz | 11.3 + i 1.1 | 29.5% |
| Tank Side Skirt | 10 GHz | 2.5 + i 0.047 | 5.1% | Plexiglass | 160 GHz | 2.59 + i 0.02 | 5.5% |
| M-35 Tire | 10 GHz | 6.9 + i 0.56 | 20.2% | Loaded Plastic | 160 GHz | 6.9 + i 0.53 | 20.2% |
| SA-9 Tire | 35 GHz | 7.7 + i 0.38 | 22.1% | Loaded Plastic | 520 GHz | 7.6 + i 0.5 | 22.1% |
| E-glass/epoxy | 10 GHz | 4.5 + i 0.01 | 12.9% | Boron Nitride | 520 GHz | 4.84 + i 0.004 | 14.1% |
| E-glass/polyester | 10 GHz | 4.1 + i 0.06 | 11.5% | Boron Nitride | 520 GHz | 4.84 + i 0.004 | 14.1% |
| Kevlar 49-polyester | 10 GHz | 3.4 + i 0.07 | 8.8% | Polyimide | 520 GHz | 3.50 + i 0.07 | 9.2% |
STL maintains an extensive database of dielectric properties of materials from 1 GHz to 3 THZ, as well as the capability to measure these properties. Please contact STL for information on materials that do not appear on this list.