Best material for a reflector?

AI Thread Summary
For constructing a cylindrical reflector for a 2.4GHz signal, smoothness is crucial to minimize losses due to the small skin depth of RF signals. Silver is identified as the best material for performance, while aluminum is the most cost-effective option. Copper offers the best balance between performance and cost. The discussion emphasizes that the surface quality is more important than the bulk material. Silver-plated copper is noted as an optimal choice for high performance.
david90
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What material would be best to use when making a cylindrical reflector (antenna) for a 2.4Ghz signal?
 
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Material

At 2.5 Ghz the skin depth of RF signals is quite small so to keep down losses
it should at least be smooth , but aside from that there is probably little difference between conductors such copper or aluminum.
 
Best material is silver.

Most cost effective material is aluminum.

Best performance for the buck is copper.
 
Material

The last post may be correct but the point is that it is only the surface which counts not the bulk.
Ray
 
david90 said:
What material would be best to use when making a cylindrical reflector (antenna) for a 2.4Ghz signal?

Are you perchance making a parabolic reflector to enhance your Wifi?

There's lots of literature on the Web about it, including blueprints for shape and curvature, and full instructions. I built a couple myself, takes about an hour and can be done entirely in your kitchen. The most sophisticated material used is aluminum foil.
 
rayjohn01 said:
The last post may be correct but the point is that it is only the surface which counts not the bulk.
Ray


I stand corrected.

Silver-plated copper is best.
 

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