Radar reflectance of carbon spars?

[JimConlin]

Chuck?
How radar-visible are carbon fiber composite spars?

[Banjo]

Chuck?
How radar-visible are carbon fiber composite spars?

I would say they are "invisible" to radar.

[The Bigfella]

Can't answer that - but 20 years back we used a fiberglass product called Rhomoglass (IIRC) that was highly reflective. We used it to produce some satellite dishes.

[ahp]

Bigfella, if you built fiberglass reflectors they must have reflected because there was a conductive coating or layer in them somewhere. No conductivity, no reflection. Radar reflection of carbon fiber? Think stealth.

[Todd D]

Carbon fibers are pretty good conductors. If they use continuous fibers when making the spar it will be a good conductor. I doubt the reflectivity will be any better than a standard aluminum spar though since the shape is the same for both types of spar.

[paladin]

Just saw this....Carbon fiber is up there with aluminum but still not great because of the resin and fiber orientation, and will actually be invisible at some ranges. A case in point....some "homebuilt" aircraft produced in Florida are made of composites and carbon fiber. They became favorites of certain organizations using them for transport of recreational pharmaceuticals.....some gentlemen from a couple of government agencies suggested that they install some metallic fibers in the skins to make them more easily identified on radar......