Fabric over foam gaskets break the mould with non-rectangular shapes
Electronics device designers looking for EMI shielding in high temperature applications but frustrated with rectangular gasket profiles can now specify Soft-Shield 3800, an electrically conductive fabric over silicone foam EMI shielding and electrical grounding gasket by Chromerics.
The gasket is suitable for low closure force and high temperature electronics applications. It is available in complex and non-rectangular shapes and is an extension of the conventional rectangular profiles within the company’s existing Soft-Shield 3700 series.
Both gaskets are economical solutions to EMI shielding and grounding for electronics applications across various sectors, claimed Chromerics, and offer 100dB shielding effectiveness at 20MHz to 10GHz.
Applications that can benefit from Soft-Shield include computer server faceplates and inserts, consumer electronics, electronics enclosures, door seals, and EMI window and vent gaskets.
Operating temperature is up to 125 degrees C, making Soft-Shield 3800 suitable for applications exposed to high heat, supported by a UL 94 V-0 flammability rating.
Soft-Shield 3800 comprises an electrically conductive nickel-plated copper polyester taffeta weave fabric wrapped around open-cell silicone foam. This abrasive- and shear-resistant wrap-around technology grounds the gasket from point to point, representing an electrically conductive solution to eliminate EMI gaps.
Soft-Shield 3800 is an alternative to traditional spring finger type products, said Ben Nudelman, global market manager, Chomerics Division. It typically requires less than 80g/mm of closure force for effective electrical contact and takes less than 10 per cent compression set, delivering reliable and repeatable shielding performance over the service life of the device, he continued.
Dozens of standard Soft-Shield 3800 parts are RoHS- and REACH-compliant and available in bulk or cut to length. Parker also offers custom profiles upon request. The product comes with conductive or non-conductive PSA adhesive, or without.
Chomerics is a division of Parker Hannifin and is part of its Engineered Materials group. It develops and applies electrically and thermally conductive materials in electronics, transportation and alternative energy systems.
