Materials

EMI Shielding Maintains Strength In Harsh Conditions

Jan. 26, 2010

TO MAINTAIN STRENGTH at elevated temperatures and under cryogenic conditions, new tubular braided electromagnetic-interference (EMI) shielding combines the conductivity of an outer metal coating with the strength, light weight, and flexibility of genuine KEVLAR fibers. Dubbed ARACON, it comes in standard inner-diameter sizes ranging from 0.62 to 2.00 in. When braided into a shield, it vows to provide impressive performance against EM and RF interference. The conductors of ARACON are made up of many very fine fibersjust 16 m in diameterthat are twisted together into a yarn. These metal-clad fibers are aromatic polyamides. Their structure gives ARACON a combination of very high tensile strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. The specific gravity of aramid fibers is only 1.44 g/ cm³ compared to copper at 8.9 g/cm³. Even with the addition of metal coatings, the specific gravity of ARACON fibers ranges from 3 to 5 g/cm³. At the same time, the tensile strength of the aramid core (350 ksi) is from 3X to 10X higher than that of traditional or high-strength copper cores (35 to 95 ksi). Strands from 38 AWG to larger than 24 AWG can be made from single or multiple bundles of ARACON. Fiber resistance can be tailored from 100 to greater than 500,000 per 1000 ft.

Micro-Coax, 206 Jones Blvd., Pottstown, PA 19464-3465; (610) 495-0110, FAX: (610) 495- 6656, Internet: www.micro-coax.com.

About the Author

Nancy Friedrich | RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense, Keysight Technologies

Nancy Friedrich is RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense at Keysight Technologies. Nancy Friedrich started a career in engineering media about two decades ago with a stint editing copy and writing news for Electronic Design. A few years later, she began writing full time as technology editor at Wireless Systems Design. In 2005, Nancy was named editor-in-chief of Microwaves & RF, a position she held (along with other positions as group content head) until 2018. Nancy then moved to a position at UBM, where she was editor-in-chief of Design News and content director for tradeshows including DesignCon, ESC, and the Smart Manufacturing shows.