Realizing microwave-infrared compatible stealth via single 8YSZ coating

Complex compositions and structural designs severely restrict the practical application of high-temperature microwave-infrared compatible stealth coatings. To address this issue, high-temperature microwave-infrared compatible stealth coatings of a single 8 wt% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) component are proposed for the first time. Originating from conductive, interfacial and dipole polarization losses, 8YSZ coating presents superior microwave absorbing properties at 900 °C, including strong absorption (minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of −50 dB), a thin thickness of 1.5 mm, and a better effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 2 GHz. Moreover, it maintains low infrared emissivity (ε < 0.3) in the infrared bands of 3–5 μm compared with traditional materials. In contrast to the conventional strategy in which microwave-infrared compatible stealth materials are explored in the pool of “complex” multiple-component or metamaterial, this work reveals an avenue to look into materials with simple compositions realizing microwave-infrared compatible stealth simultaneously, which would be of both scientific and technological significance in the fields of stealth technology. Moreover, the present work reveals new applications of 8YSZ coatings in the field of high-temperature stealth technology.