Microwave absorption properties of Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 composites fabricated by plasma spraying and vacuum sintering in the X-band

Developing high-temperature microwave absorption material with light weight is crucial. In this work, Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 composites were exploited as light microwave absorption material at high temperature by plasma spraying and vacuum sintering for microstructure, phase, dielectric property, and microwave absorption property study. Results showed that both the preparation method and Ti3SiC2 concentration had vital influences on the dielectric properties and microwave absorption properties of Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 composites. The denser Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 ceramics had higher complex permittivity than that of Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 coatings with lower density, which could obtain better microwave absorption property in thinner thickness with less Ti3SiC2 content. As the content of Ti3SiC2 increased, the complex permittivity of both Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 coatings and ceramics improved due to the increased interfacial polarization and conduction loss. The optimum microwave absorption property was obtained in Ti3SiC2/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 ceramic with 10% Ti3SiC2 content, which had a bandwidth of 4.2 GHz and minimum reflection loss (RLm) of − 14.4 dB in 1.7 mm.