All electronic and
electrical equipment create magnetic fields, which emit harmful radiations.
They cause a number of problems for other equipment in the vicinity, and are
also harmful for the users’ health. Gaskets are designed to shield these
devices from electromagnetic interferences (EMI). They also protect users from
harmful emissions those devices generate. Simply put, a gasket is a kind of
barrier that helps separate two relatively stationary parts of a device.
Besides acting as a sealant, it has to be sturdy and capable of withstanding
extreme heat. At the same time, it has to be flexible enough so that it can be
easily removed and replaced if needed. Many different material types can be
used to create gaskets. If you are an industrial designer, you may already know the importance of selecting
the right EMI shielding material as the gasket performance success depends, to
a significant extent, on the type of material you are using.
Material Types
How much shielding you
want to achieve is what directs the design of the gasket. The material
selection, on the other hand, should be guided by the design you are seeking to
implement. As a product designer, you are at liberty to use a variety of material
to create customized gaskets. No matter how complicated your design is there is
always a material type for your application.
want to achieve is what directs the design of the gasket. The material
selection, on the other hand, should be guided by the design you are seeking to
implement. As a product designer, you are at liberty to use a variety of material
to create customized gaskets. No matter how complicated your design is there is
always a material type for your application.
Elastomers
Gaskets made of
elastomer are believed to provide the highest level of shielding. Elastomers
can be of different types – silicone, flurosilicone, urethane, natural rubber
and more. Thanks to their flexibility and resilience, elastomer gaskets are fit
for a range of shielding applications. They are also fit for functioning in an
extensive range of industries and extreme environments.
elastomer are believed to provide the highest level of shielding. Elastomers
can be of different types – silicone, flurosilicone, urethane, natural rubber
and more. Thanks to their flexibility and resilience, elastomer gaskets are fit
for a range of shielding applications. They are also fit for functioning in an
extensive range of industries and extreme environments.
Engineered Plastics
As opposed to metals,
coatings or unfilled resins, engineered plastics offer tremendous flexibility
and other benefits to designers striving to build customized EMI shielding
gaskets. They help to create reliable applications, especially where
electromagnetic compatibility is required.
coatings or unfilled resins, engineered plastics offer tremendous flexibility
and other benefits to designers striving to build customized EMI shielding
gaskets. They help to create reliable applications, especially where
electromagnetic compatibility is required.
Cork and Rubber
Made of a combination of
granulated cork and a synthetic rubber polymer (usually 70 percent cork to 30
percent rubber binder), this material is blessed with high resilience and
flexibility (of rubber), and superb compressibility (of cork). The rubber acts
as a good sealant and also provides protection against a variety of weather
conditions and different substances
including fungus and acids. A variety of cork rubber material can be created by
tweaking the proportions of cork and rubber.
Which one should you choose? The answer depends on the chemical
resistance requirements of your gasket.
granulated cork and a synthetic rubber polymer (usually 70 percent cork to 30
percent rubber binder), this material is blessed with high resilience and
flexibility (of rubber), and superb compressibility (of cork). The rubber acts
as a good sealant and also provides protection against a variety of weather
conditions and different substances
including fungus and acids. A variety of cork rubber material can be created by
tweaking the proportions of cork and rubber.
Which one should you choose? The answer depends on the chemical
resistance requirements of your gasket.
Foam
Foam can be made of
different components, such as polyester, EPDM, PVC, polyurethane, silicone,
melamine and more. The performance of the foam gaskets depend on the components
they are made of. Depending on their cellular make-up, foams are available in
open or closed cell varieties. Open-cell foams are more suitable for interior,
acoustical and light industrial applications.
However, when it comes to building strong and sturdy industrial grade
gaskets, designers prefer closed-cell foams, as they are heat and UV resistant,
and offer more structural strength and stability.
different components, such as polyester, EPDM, PVC, polyurethane, silicone,
melamine and more. The performance of the foam gaskets depend on the components
they are made of. Depending on their cellular make-up, foams are available in
open or closed cell varieties. Open-cell foams are more suitable for interior,
acoustical and light industrial applications.
However, when it comes to building strong and sturdy industrial grade
gaskets, designers prefer closed-cell foams, as they are heat and UV resistant,
and offer more structural strength and stability.
Fiber
EMI gaskets made of
fiber are characterized by their strength, flexibility and durability. These
features make them an ideal choice for a wide range of industrial applications.
Depending on your requirement, you can choose from a wide range of shapes and sizes.
They even vary in thickness, hardness and color. Generally, industrial, special
purpose gaskets feature customized shapes and sizes to meet your specific
application requirements. Special
purpose adhesives and other features are also used to meet your design
requirements. Different types of fibers are used to create fabric gaskets.
Examples include lightweight vulcanized fibers, strong and highly compressible
vegetable fiber, temperature-resistant cellulose fiber and more.
fiber are characterized by their strength, flexibility and durability. These
features make them an ideal choice for a wide range of industrial applications.
Depending on your requirement, you can choose from a wide range of shapes and sizes.
They even vary in thickness, hardness and color. Generally, industrial, special
purpose gaskets feature customized shapes and sizes to meet your specific
application requirements. Special
purpose adhesives and other features are also used to meet your design
requirements. Different types of fibers are used to create fabric gaskets.
Examples include lightweight vulcanized fibers, strong and highly compressible
vegetable fiber, temperature-resistant cellulose fiber and more.
Selecting the right EMI shielding material is central to the creation of the appropriate gasketfor your specific
application. Only the right material can
let you create an effective, high-performance shield, so you cannot afford to
go wrong in this respect. Refer to our guide for a better understanding of your
material options.
application. Only the right material can
let you create an effective, high-performance shield, so you cannot afford to
go wrong in this respect. Refer to our guide for a better understanding of your
material options.
