Conductive Elastomers

There are a range of conductive fillers and elastomer combinations that are suitable for virtually any application that may be encountered.

Conductive elastomers are extremely versatile and are available in the following forms

Extrusion

An extremely wide range of cross-sections are available including ‘O’ sections, ‘D’ sections, ‘U’ channels, square/rectangular strip as well as custom sections to suit specific applications. Some profiles, such as ‘O’ and ‘D’ sections can be produced as hollow sections where lower compression forces are required or a greater tolerance range must be accommodated

Gasket sections can be supplied in continuous lengths, cut lengths or joined to form gaskets. Gaskets produced in this way are joined by ‘vulcanising’, that is to say that a small piece of the original material is used to form the joint using heat and pressure producing a very high quality gasket. Extruded conductive elastomer profiles can be joined to form rings e.g. ‘o’ rings, picture frames (mitred joints) or more complex shapes.

In general terms this is the most efficient means of producing gasket sections or gaskets using conductive elastomers

Moulded pre-form then die-cut

This is the preferred method for producing ‘flat’ gaskets such as waveguide and connector gaskets.  The material is moulded as a sheet or ‘frame’ and then as a secondary operation the gaskets are punched out. This technique allows economical production of parts, saving material in the case of larger gaskets and enabling many smaller parts to be punched from a single moulding

Custom mouldings

Conductive elastomers may be moulded directly to form specific parts such as cable glands, complex gaskets, insert mouldings etc.

All of the above fabrication methods are suitable for both low and high volumes

General properties

Very high shielding possible with appropriate flange/enclosure materials and finishes - typically attenuation figures comfortably in excess of 100dB can be achieved up to 10GHz

• Good ‘H’ field (magnetic) shielding performance

• Environmental sealing up to IP68 possible

• Very long service life even in hostile conditions – 20 years not uncommon

• Remain servicable even at temperature extremes – typically -55oC to +150oC – lower and higher temperatures are possible

• Low out-gassing

• Variants based on fluorosilicone elastomer have excellent resistance to long-term contact with oils, fuels and other organic liquids or contaminants

• Versions available that can survive repeated exposure to high induced currents – EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) applications

Applications

Conductive elastomers find uses in many different applications and generally where a combination of very high shielding and environmental protection are required from a single gasket. They were originally mainly used for military applications but more efficient production methods along with increasing more demanding uses in commercial equipment have seen their use become more widespread. Typical uses include

Military radio and communications equipment
Aerospace – flight system control units
Base stations
Waveguide and connector gaskets
Ruggadised industrial equipment

...and there's more

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