The basic transmission line and rectangular waveguide equations, with reference to different loading conditions, are firstly reviewed. Amplitude and phase, amplitudeonly, and phase-only permittivity measurement techniques are briefly discussed. Two very naive graphical and numerical calculation procedures are presented, together with the results of measurements on some composite materials.

An rf reflectometer has been used to measure dielectric losses in alumina ceramics during irradiation by 3 MeV protons. The equipment was able to detect tan ȯ changes of 5×10−5, but calibration by micro-calorimetry revealed large systematic losses, up to 2.5×10−3 Irradiation at 300 K resulted in a progressive increase in dielectric loss but no prompt increments.

As part of the research effort on investigating the effects of microwave energy absorption on the chemical and physical properties of minerals and ores, the Bureau of Mines, Tuscaloosa Research Center has developed a technique of measuring the dielectric constant and loss tangent of minerals at the common microwave heating frequencies. The objective was to establish a reliable data base to aid in predicting the effects of microwave heating on minerals.

In this phase of microwave research, the Bureau measured the dielectric properties of powdered minerals with medium to high electrical conductivities (a ≥ 0.02 Mho/m) in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 3 GHz using an open-ended coaxial line probe connected to an HP 8753A network analyzer. Since the minerals were prepared as powders, techniques were used to relate the measured dielectric properties of the powdered minerals to the dielectric properties of the mineral at Its theoretical or natural density. Also, these measurements were performed as a function of temperature, from 25° to 325° C.

The measured values of the dielectric constants and loss tangents using this method were accurate within ±5 percent. This report describes the method of measurement and discusses the results of the Bureau's investigations into dielectric properties of minerals.

Elastomers have been manufactured containing varying concentrations of particles of Ag/Al, Ag/Cu, Ag/Ni, Ag/glass (G3), Ni/graphite, Ni, and Ag. Their dielectric and microwave properties have been measured between 0.4 GHz and 40 GHz and at temperatures between ambient and 100°C. The filler particles are small relative to the microwave wavelength but larger than the skin depth. Sheets of these elastomers of up to 2 mm thickness gave been subjected to cyclical stretching of up to 40% elongation and up to 10° cycles. The microwave properties have been measured as a function of numbers of stretching cycles and composition of elastomer. Some correlations were found between the composition, the microwave properties and the number of stretch cycles completed.

It was found in general that repeated stretching degraded the initially high conductivity of the loaded elastomers. This effect was also revealed by the increase in microwave transmissivity through the sheets, and a decrease in reflectivity. Formulations of elastomer-metal particle mix have recently been produced which have a microwave transmissivity more Phan 80 dB below the incident signal, for a 2 mm thick sample, even after 106 stretching cycles of 20% elongation. This property is of great value for the use of the elastomer as a reflective microwave shield.