Tools & Databases

Common Radar Materials and their Scale Model Equivalents

Radar MaterialRadar Freq.Dielectric ConstantRadar Reflect.Scale Model MaterialSub-mm Freq.Dielectric ConstantSub-mm Reflect.
Polyethylene10 GHz2.38 + i 0.00124.6%HD Polyethylene160 GHz2.32 + i 0.00074.3%
Teflon35 GHz2.01 + i 0.00043.0%Teflon520 GHz1.96 + i 0.0032.8%
Nylon10 GHz3.12 + i 0.0087.7%Mylar520 GHz2.99 + i 0.0837.1%
Plexiglass25 GHz2.59 + i 0.0175.5%Rexolite520 GHz2.50 + i 0.0095.1%

Snow3 GHz1.20 + i 0.00030.2%Polystyrene Foam520 GHz1.25 + i 0.00070.3%
Ice3 GHz3.2 + i 0.00098.0%Loaded Plastic160 GHz3.20 + i 0.0718.0%
Soil (loamy dry)3 GHz2.44 + i 0.0014.8%Loaded Plastic520 GHz2.66 + i 0.0655.8%
Soil (sandy dry)10 GHz2.5 + i 0.0055.1%Loaded Plastic520 GHz2.66 + i 0.0655.8%
Soil (moist)10 GHz3.2 + i 0.198.0%Loaded Plastic160 GHz3.23 + i 0.188.2%
Asphalt10 GHz4.28 + i 0.112.1%Loaded Plastic160 GHz4.2 + i 0.1311.9%
Concrete35 GHz2.5 + i 0.655.8%Loaded Plastic520 GHz2.59 + i 0.165.5%

Windshield glass10 GHz5.9 + i 0.1517.3%Schott AF-45520 GHz5.90 + i 0.3317.4%
Soda-borosilicate25 GHz4.65 + i 0.04213.4%Boron Nitride520 GHz4.84 + i 0.00414.1%
Fused quartz3 GHz3.78 + i 0.000210.3%Fused Quartz520 GHz3.78 + i 0.0110.3%

Douglas fir3 GHz1.82 + i 0.0472.2%Balsa Wood520 GHz1.99 + i 0.0512.9%
Mahogany3 GHz1.88 + i 0.0472.5%Balsa Wood520 GHz1.99 + i 0.0512.9%
Yellow birch3 GHz2.13 + i 0.073.5%Balsa Wood520 GHz1.99 + i 0.0512.9%

Butyl rubber3 GHz2.35 + i 0.0024.4%HD Polyethylene520 GHz2.31 + i 0.0024.3%
Tank Track Pad10 GHz11.3 + i 1.8529.7%Loaded Plastic160 GHz11.3 + i 1.129.5%
Tank Side Skirt10 GHz2.5 + i 0.0475.1%Plexiglass160 GHz2.59 + i 0.025.5%
M-35 Tire10 GHz6.9 + i 0.5620.2%Loaded Plastic160 GHz6.9 + i 0.5320.2%
SA-9 Tire35 GHz7.7 + i 0.3822.1%Loaded Plastic520 GHz7.6 + i 0.522.1%

E-glass/epoxy10 GHz4.5 + i 0.0112.9%Boron Nitride520 GHz4.84 + i 0.00414.1%
E-glass/polyester10 GHz4.1 + i 0.0611.5%Boron Nitride520 GHz4.84 + i 0.00414.1%
Kevlar 49-polyester10 GHz3.4 + i 0.078.8%Polyimide520 GHz3.50 + i 0.079.2%

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.