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In this paper, the idea of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) realized by unidirectional carbon fibers (CFs) arrays are proposed and investigated. A structure/function integrated sandwich structure (SISS) with excellent microwave absorption and mechanical properties was designed. It is composed of two corrugation layers with gradient CFs arrays between them. According to our research, the absorption performance can be modulated by adjusting structure parameters. As the corrugation angle increases, the absorption performance becomes better whether in normal or oblique incidence. In addition, compression tests were also performed and the results indicate that this proposal can realize a higher compressive strength at a lower sandwich core density. The compressive strength is more than 3 times comparing with 304 stainless steel (SS) corrugation when the core density is 0.25 g/cm3. This structure/function integrated design is more competitive in practical applications comparing with other metamaterials topologies.

Foam sandwich structures reinforced with the fiber column arrays are proposed to achieve broadband absorption at microwave frequencies as well as good mechanical properties. To achieve the microwave absorption, two layers of resistive films are embedded into the sandwich structures. The results show that the proposed sandwich structure with the whole thickness of 9.73 mm can achieve broadband absorption with the reflection less than −10 dB in the frequency range of 2.6–21 GHz. The absorption mechanism has been discussed by using the equivalent circuit model. It is further indicated that introduction of the fiber column array in the sandwich structure has little influence on the absorption performance, but can remarkably enhance the mechanical properties. This has been well demonstrated experimentally by three-point bending experiment. Compared with the ordinary sandwich absorbing structures, enhanced mechanical properties make the designed structure suitable in some loading applications. It is expected that the proposed multifunctional structure may find great potentials in the applications of stealth technology, electromagnetic interferences and so on. Keywords: Sandwich structure, Broadband absorption, Mechanical properties, Equivalent circuit model