EMI & ESD Shielding Products

In sensitive applications such as medical electronics, mass transit systems, and vehicular control systems, electromagnetic interference (EMI) can have devastating consequences. Shielding products, therefore, must be able to provide reliable, long-lasting protection in order to prevent EMI from damaging and disrupting electrical devices and equipment.

Closely related to EMI is electrostatic discharge (ESD), a sudden flow of electricity between two charged objects caused by factors that may include a short or a breakdown. ESD grounding is necessary to prevent this discharge, which can have disastrous, life-threatening effects similar to those of EMI.

EMI Shielding Solutions

A wide range of EMI shielding solutions — which encompass ESD grounding solutions — are available to help ensure optimal reliability and safety; specific products, such as conductive elastomers for low closure force gasketing, as well as conductive tapes and laminates, can be integrated into electrical systems to provide protection. All of these solutions are quick and easy to implement.

EMI gaskets, flexible metal screens, wires, and foams all serve as effective seals to protect electrical systems from their surrounding environments. And unlike the metal sheets that were once used for EMI gaskets, modern-day gaskets resist deformation under the pressures of sealing and often include elastomers for enhanced shielding performance.

Conductive elastomers — fully cured silicones or fluorosilicones comprised of highly conductive particles — simultaneously provide EMI shielding and environmental sealing for dust and water. Conductive fillers ensure compatibility among electric currents and offer low contact resistance among various surfaces. Additionally, these elastomers remain in shape in demanding applications, allowing for longer lifespans and reduced costs. They’re also tear-resistant and often come with the option of adhesive backing, making for easy installation. Offering a wide range of benefits for manufacturers and system operators alike, conductive elastomers have become increasingly popular in EMI shielding applications.

EMI Tapes and Fabric Over Foam Solutions

At Robert McKeown Company, Inc. (RMC), we offer several lines of Parker Chomerics products, including fabric over foam (fof) EMI solutions and CHO-FOIL® tapes.

CHO-FOIL® tapes fall under the conductive tape and laminate category, offering a cost-effective EMI shielding and ESD grounding solution for a broad range of commercial applications. Available in the most popular shielding materials, including many variations of copper, aluminum, and nickel-plated fabric, these tapes also offer aesthetic benefits. The embossed version of CHO-FOIL® copper tape, in particular, provides a sleek, modern aesthetic. Strong yet lightweight, this tape is corrosion-resistant and engineered to be highly conductive while remaining sensitive to pressure. These characteristics enhance its shielding performance and make it ideal for most EMI shielding and grounding applications.

Innovative fabric over foam products, meanwhile, provide reliable shielding from electromagnetic fields in the radio frequency spectrum that can severely harm electrical systems. Parker Chomerics’ fabric over foam products are constructed of either conductivity-plated fabric or wire mesh fitted over low closure urethane foam. Allowing for simple installation, these solutions have excellent compressibility, require fewer fasteners, and feature self-terminating gaskets.

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For more information on EMI shielding products and ESD grounding solutions, and to discuss how they can help protect your critical electrical systems, reach out to the expert team at Robert McKeown today.

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SOFT-SHIELD 3500 Low Closure Force EMI Strip Gaskets

EMI Shielding Gaskets & Conductive Elastomers

Robert McKeown Co. offers electrically conductive elastomers to provide EMI/RFI shielding, as well as protection from environmental factors like dust and water. These EMI shielding gaskets add superior shielding for a range of electronic applications including aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, medical, and industrial equipment.

Caused by various external disruptive forces, electromagnetic interference (EMI) poses great risks to electronics devices, equipment, and systems of all kinds. Affecting electrical circuits through electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction disturbance, EMI can result in data loss, increased error rate, total system failure, and even death.

Understanding EMI

EMI is especially dangerous in critical and sensitive applications; mass transit systems, industrial touch screens, navigation and vehicular control systems, and medical, military, and aerospace electronics are all susceptible to EMI. And depending on the specific type of electronic system, the results of EMI can be catastrophic. In medical or mass transit electronic applications, for example, EMI is not only costly and time-consuming to remedy, it’s also life-threatening. In these situations, electronics must be capable of reliable, long-lasting performance to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.

Having a basic understanding of EMI — specifically, the electromagnetic fields within the radio frequency spectrum that will damage your system — is key to successful, uninterrupted operations. To prevent the risks mentioned above, it’s critical to work with high-quality conductive elastomers and other EMI shielding components when designing electronic devices. EMI shielding gaskets, for instance, must be able to provide reliable sealing and protection against electromagnetic interference.

EMI Shielding Gasket Features

EMI gasket materials were once made from aluminum, copper, and steel sheets and shaped to fit electronic enclosures. However, these thin metal sheets would deform under sealing pressure, resulting in circuit leaks. EMI shielding has since evolved and is now fabricated from flexible metal screens, wires, and foams, which are not subject to the risk of deforming. One of the most effective materials for EMI shielding is a conductive elastomer, such as particle-filled silicone, which combines the electrical properties of metals with the material properties of silicone rubber.

Serving as a highly reliable sealing and insulation material, particle-filled silicone is increasingly becoming the go-to material choice for shielding gasket manufacturers. Because particles can be adapted for various durometers, they’re able to easily accommodate the specific level of hardness required by the specific gasket type. Also, these newer shielding gasket materials contain adequate amounts of metal filler to guarantee effective shielding and electrical conductivity, allowing for highly reliable, cost-effective fabrications.

Unlike the original EMI shielding gaskets, particle-filled silicone EMI gaskets are not at risk of stretching or becoming deformed, ensuring a longer lifespan. This, in turn, allows for lower maintenance costs, since replacements or repairs are needed less frequently. Tear-resistant options are also available for manufacturers working with thin-walled EMI gaskets, while adhesive-backing options allow for very simple installation.

Conductive Foam Shielding Gaskets

Conductive foam — made of polyurethane plated with copper and nickel — is also an ideal material choice for shielding gaskets. Able to withstand harsh, demanding applications, conductive foam offers great cost-efficiency and easy manufacturability. Allowing for the creation of conductive EMI gaskets — which are highly effective for shielding applications since they offer cross-section conductivity — this foam strengthens the efficacy of shielding without sacrificing any functionality.

In addition to a low compression set, allowing for long-lasting performance, conductive foam also has low flammability characteristics and high workability, and is easy to cut and slit. This versatile foam is frequently used in noise filter cores, shielded rooms, and mobile phones.

Fabric Over Foam Gaskets

At Robert McKeown Company, Inc. (RMC), we offer several lines of Parker Chomerics products, including their SOFT-SHIELD® fabric over foam (fof) EMI shielding gaskets — a low-cost, high-performance solution well-suited for commercial electronic systems.

An ideal alternative to beryllium copper or stainless steel fingerstock EMI gaskets, fabric over foam products require fewer fasteners thanks to their very low closure forces and allow for simple installation without sacrificing shielding ability. Also, cut-to-length strips of fabric over foam gaskets self-terminate, eliminating the risk of jagged edges that can cause damage and enhancing overall application reliability.

The urethane foam core has excellent compressibility, making these EMI gaskets well-suited for thin-walled plastic enclosures. Extremely versatile, fabric over foam gaskets are often used in medical and general industrial applications.

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For more information on thermal management products or to discuss how Chomerics EMI gaskets can help protect your electronics equipment, contact the team at Robert McKeown today.