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Metal Fiber

The advantages of metal fibers for ESD/EMI shielding

Metal fibers – fiber material with a diameter less than 100 microns – exist in many forms, alloys and sizes. Structures and products incorporating metal fibers display excellent electrical, thermal, corrosion and mechanical properties. Each of these properties makes them suitable for a wide range of specific industrial applications, including filtration, heat resistant textiles, conductive textiles and conductive plastics. This white paper focuses on the use of metal fibers to protect against electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference.

10% stainless steel fiber results in approximately the same EMI shielding capabilities as 20% carbon fiber

WHAT IS ESD ve EMI ?

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) are common phenomena in daily life. Everyone has experienced ESD when receiving a small electrical shock after touching a metal item that is electrically isolated from the ground. It is caused by the difference in electrical charge between an electrically loaded item and the ground. An example of EMI is the annoying buzzing noise heard through old TV speakers when you are on your cellphone. These examples are rather harmless, but this does not mean that ESD and EMI should be ignored; more serious consequences of these phenomena include fires, explosions, accidents, and the malfunctioning of sensitive, important equipment.

METAL FIBERS FOR CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS

To prevent electrostatic charges from building up and releasing as sparks, metal fibers can be added to a plastic component to create a conductive matrix in plastic products. In such applications, metal fibers perform an additional valuable role by allowing metal parts to be replaced with lightweight plastic parts, while maintaining the required electrical conductivity. Other advantages of metal fibers for conductive plastics include:
  • Low impact on physical plastic properties (IZOD impact strength, part shrinkage)
  • Durable long-lasting conductivity, non-marking and sloughing
  • Easy and safe handling of the material
  • Food approved
  • Processing in compounding and injection molding, without adapting the process
  • Compounding ve injection molding proseslerine adaptasyon gerektirmez.
  • Low volume fraction of metal fibers in the end product • Large freedom of design.

Elastomer industry

Safety shoes

Gaskets

Hoses

Tires

Termoplastic industry

Consumer elect.

Caster wheels

ESD floors

Electronics

Automotive

Sensor housing