Serviceline Industrial Sensors
Sales phone: 0161 622 6308
Tech phone: 0161 622 6311
Fax: 0161 624 6537
Serviceline Explosion Protection
Sales phone: 0161 622 6309
Tech phone: 0161 622 6313
Fax: 0161 624 6537

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 absorption


Handling Material Properties with Industrial Radar Sensors

e-news

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive regular news and interesting information around the world of automation.

Subscribe
amplify–The Pepperl+Fuchs Magazine

Discover our online magazine! Exciting success stories, application reports, interviews, and regional news are awaiting you.

Radar sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs

Pepperl+Fuchs industrial radar sensors offer you interference-free distance and velocity measurement—even in rain, fog, wind, or dust. Learn more about this unique sensory operating principle and all the advantages it opens up for you.