Originally Published EMDM
May 2003
INDUSTRY NEWS
Conductive Shielding Materials Offer Product Design and Processing Advantages |
| Industry’s first electrically conductive EMI and RFI shielding materials supplied in wide, continuous rolls are available in cross sections as thin as 0.020 in. |
As electronic devices get smaller and operate at higher frequencies, EMI and RFI shielding must meet ever-more-stringent demands. Acceptable tolerances for even the smallest gaps, seams, or slots in electronic equipment continue to shrink. Rogers Corp. (Ghent, Belgium) recently introduced what it claims is the first electrically conductive EMI and RFI shielding materials supplied in wide, continuous rolls. Described as among the thinnest and softest such materials on the market, the Bisco EC-2000-series line of conductive silicones also feature good compression-set resistance, shielding effectiveness, and high yields.
The shielding materials can be supplied in very thin layers, with cross sections down to 0.020 in. thick, says Nicole Ouellette, senior market development specialist. Available in durometers between 30 and 40 Shore A, Bisco EC-2000 conductive silicones can replace fabric-over-foam materials in many thin, intricately shaped applications.
EC-2000 silicones are reportedly softer and more compressible than alternative products, making it easier to obtain a good mechanical seal by compressing the gasket. Because they are available in wide, continuous rolls, the materials facilitate processing by converters and OEMs. In particular, the wide-roll format eliminates the need to seam moulded sheets, thus improving yield. The materials are also easy to die-cut, resulting in improved design versatility and decreased time to market.
The conductive silicones are suitable for any device requiring shielding, adds Ouellette, with the exception of products that must use a USP Class VI–rated material. Key medical uses include diagnostic and analytic devices.
For more information, contact Rogers Corp., Afrikalaan 188, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; phone: +32 9 2353611; fax: +32 9 2353658; Internet:
www.rogerscorporation.com.
Norbert Sparrow
Copyright ©2003 European Medical Device Manufacturer
