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Material Properties
Radar waves propagate freely in a vacuum. When the waves hit an object, the signal changes due to the influence of the object's properties. Depending on the materials, the radar waves are completely or partially absorbed or reflected. There is also a penetration of various substances. Absorbing materials are generally poorer radar targets. They also generate a certain amount of reflection at the boundary layers due to the so-called matter jump. However, the vast majority of the radar wave is usually absorbed, which makes reliable measurements on these targets more difficult.
| Material | Absorption | Reflection | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | None | Total reflection at straight incidence, refraction, and partial reflection possible at oblique incidence | None |
| Wood | Medium to high (Depending on the humidity) | Low | Low |
| Water | Very high | Depending on the angle of incidence, partial or total reflection possible | Low |
| Foams | Low | Low | Very low |
| Plastics | Low to high (Depending on the thickness and type of plastic) | Low to high (Depending on the thickness and type of plastic) | Low to high (Depending on the thickness and type of plastic) |
| Glass | Low to high (Depending on the thickness of the glass) | Low to high (Depending on the thickness of the glass) | Low to high (Depending on the thicknessof the glass) |
| Clothing | Medium to high (Depending on the humidity) | Low | Low |
| Rain | Low | Low | Very high |
| People | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Ice | Very high | Depending on the angle of incidence, partial or total reflection possible | None, due to ab |
