Evolutionary optimization design of honeycomb metastructure with effective mechanical resistance and broadband microwave absorption

Microwave absorbing materials are of great importance on stealth technology, electromagnetic compatibility and radiation protection. The narrow absorption bandwidth restricts its further applications. Herein, the glass fiber (GF)/carbon fiber (CF) reinforced honeycomb metastructure (HM) consisting of carbonyl iron (CI) particles, multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and epoxy resin (EP) is designed by the evolutionary optimization (EO) program based on the proposed large mutation genetic algorithms (LMGA) and fabricated by vacuum bag techniques. The HM with and without GF achieves −10dB absorption bandwidth in 2–20.37 GHz and 2.76–40 GHz respectively. Wide-angle absorption in 0°–45° is realized. The GF/CF reinforced HM exhibits tensile and three-point flexural strength of 80.03 MPa and 34.66 MPa respectively. The integration of electromagnetic absorption and mechanical resistance is successful with the proposed design and fabrication methodology.