RF Absorbers

MAST Technologies provides a wide variety of RF absorbing material. To help narrow down your requirement, please reveiw the absorber comparison chart shown here. For application information, the Matrix of Typical Applications provides some guidance based on each materials inherent properties.

 MR1: Tuned Frequency

Tuned Frequency Absorbers, also known as resonant frequency absorbers, provide great reflection loss at a discrete frequency, typically offering 20dB of attenuation. Tuned Frequency Absorbers offer a narrowband of absorption, typically +/-10% of the resonant frequency, so are best used when a single discrete frequency is trying to be absorbed. MAST Engineers can tune an absorber to any frequency from 1 to 40 GHz, by simply changing the formulation and thickness. Available as sheet stock.

MR1 Reflectivity Performance Plots

MR2: Cavity Resonance

Cavity Resonance Absorbers are designed to exhibit high loss and are intended to be applied to metal surfaces inside microwave cavities to reduce the Q of the cavity. Cavity Resonance Absorbers attenuate energy at normal and high angles of incidence at frequencies from 1 GHz to 20 GHz. The standard elastomer is silicone, but other elastomer formulations are available.

MR2 Reflectivity Performance Plots

MR3: Surface Wave

Surface Wave Absorbers are the most heavily magnetically loaded absorber. Surface Wave Absorbers are designed to exhibit the highest loss and are intended to be applied to metal surfaces for traveling or surface wave attenuation. Surface Wave Absorbers attenuate traveling wave energy at frequencies from 1 GHz to 20 GHz. The standard elastomer for this product series is silicone, but other elastomer formulations are available which may be better suited for specific environmental conditions.

MR3 Reflectivity Performance Plots

MR5: Low Frequency

Low Frequency Absorbers are designed with shaped magnetic particles which exhibit high permeability at frequencies from 1 MHz to 3 GHz. The Low Frequency Absorber product line is the thinnest of the MR series products, with standard thicknesses of 0.006” and 0.020”; other thicknesses and configuration as available. Available as sheet stock.

MR51 Relative Permeability Performance Plots

MF1: Reticulated Foam

Reticulated Foam Absorbers are designed with a continuous gradient coating to exhibit high reflection loss and are intended to be applied to metal surfaces inside microwave cavities, housings, radomes, network enclosures, or antennae. Reticulated Foam Absorbers attenuate energy at normal and high angles of incidence at frequencies from 1 GHz to 18 GHz. Available as sheet stock.

MF1 Reflectivity Performance Plots

MF2: Lossy Foam

Providing broadband insertion loss at microwave frequencies, Lossy Foam Absorbers are designed with a constant coating to exhibit high reflection loss and are intended to be applied to metal surfaces inside microwave cavities, housings, radomes, network enclosures, or antennae. Lossy Foam absorbers are the lowest cost solution for attenuating energy at frequencies from 1 GHz to 18 GHz. Available as sheet stock.

MF2 Insertion Loss Performance Plots

MF3: Convoluted Foam

A lightweight conductive carbon loaded sheet stock providing broadband reflection loss at microwave frequencies. Due to the shape of the cones on Convoluted Foam Absorbers, they exhibit high reflection loss and are intended to be applied to metal surfaces inside test boxes, housings, radomes, network enclosures, or antennae. Reticulated Foam Absorbers attenuate energy at normal and high angles of incidence at frequencies from 1 GHz to 18 GHz.

MF3 Reflectivity Performance Plots

Brochures

MAST Technologies Short Form Product Brochure
	MAST designs and manufactures elastomeric materials, inks/paints, and caulking materials with custom tailored electrical or mechanical properties.This brochure outlines the wide assortemnt of products and provides basic information. A quick reference guide is included to help narrow down the material you need for your specific application.

Application Notes

Microwave Absorbers: Reducing Cavity Resonances
	MAST Technologies’ own Andrew Sundsmo gives insight into the design and use of microwave absorbing materials in high frequency devices in this application note originally published in CE Magazine. Contact RFMW to discuss MAST’s innovative solutions to your unique high frequency applications.
The Use of Absorbers in Electronics
	MAST Technologies’ EMI consultant Ed Nakauchi presents an in-depth look into the use of microwave absorbing materials in PCB edge fringing, PCB trace radiation, and cavity resonance effect reduction in this brief overview article. Contact RFMW to discuss MAST’s innovative solutions to your unique electronics applications.

Technical Bulletins

Tech Bulletin 102: Elastomer Selection
	Use this handy technical bulletin to take the guesswork out of elastomer selection in a variety of unique RF absorbing, microwave absorbing and emi shielding applications. Contact RFMW if this bulletin isn’t comprehensive enough for your needs.