Are Dielectric composites more transparent to radar, whereas electrically conductive materials such as metals and

Question: Are Dielectric composites more transparent to radar, whereas electrically conductive materials such as metals and carbon fibers reflect electromagnetic energy incident on the material's surface?
- Keywords:
  carbon,
  composites,
  conductive,
  dielectric,
  electrically,
  electromagnetic,
  energy,
  fibers,
  incident,
  materials,
  metals,
  radar,
  reflect,
  surface,
  transparent
Asked by mani619 to Jamie, Mark on 25 Mar 2011 in Categories: General.
- Jamie Pringle answered on 25 Mar 2011:
  
  Hello mani619,
  
  An excellent question! You are dead right – when conducting GPR surveys, the electro-magnetic waves need to bounce off something in the sub-surface to get reflected back to the surface and be recorded. If these surfaces have a high contrast when compared to background materials, such as metal (which also has a magnetic component) then you should get a strong signal back.
  
  A good example of a more transparent material problem is looking for the bones of murder victims in calcium-rich, coastal sands – there would be little di-electric permittivity contrast between the calcium bones and the calcium sands, so the GPR equipment may not detect where the body is present – very current research.
  
  Good stuff!
- Mark Hill answered on 25 Mar 2011:
  
  Hi Mani619,
  I really don’t think that I can help you with this one. It is well beyond my field of science. I am sorry.
  
  Mark.

Question: Are Dielectric composites more transparent to radar, whereas electrically conductive materials such as metals and carbon fibers reflect electromagnetic energy incident on the material's surface?