Electromagnetic interference shielding gaskets protect a range of electronic equipment and devices from electromagnetic interference (EMI). Custom elastoproxy fabric gaskets are used in mass transit, military, medical, and of course, commercial aerospace applications. The top requirements for aerospace assemblies are access panels, antennas, radars, electrical conductivity, pressure and fluid sealing, reduction of galvanic corrosion, and shielding. Urethane-filled and fully-cured gaskets perform better than substitute sealing products. If you use urethane-filled gaskets, the total cost of ownership (TCO) will be almost 33 percent lower because you are not required to bear the expenses associated with assembly rework and replacement of material.
Designers Prefer Urethane-filled Gaskets
Designers choose urethane-filled aluminum gaskets as they provide outstanding corrosion resistance, shielding efficiency, fluid resistance, electrical resistance, and work under extensive temperature ranges. EMI shielding gaskets perform efficiently when it comes to fluid sealing and atmospheric pressure. The high conformance and surface affinity properties of urethane binder systems make them sealing-efficient in applications found between the fuselage and externally built aircraft devices. This is the reason why design engineers rely on the sealing performance of gaskets. And when these materials are subjected to specific torque values for aerospace devices, pressure sealing of circa 2.8 bar should be the outcome. Besides, urethane-filled aluminum gaskets also provide more chemical resistivity and sealing efficiency against ordinary aviation fluids.
Electrical Conductivity
Superior electrical conductivity is one of the primary functions of shielding gaskets used in aviation and aerospace applications. The performance of expanded aluminum is better than particle-filled materials like woven mesh.Expanded aluminum with homogeneous properties results in a high-performance electrical system that reduces the harmful effects of interference as well as electrical grounding performance.
Airframe Pitting
It is imperative to avoid airframe pitting and any issues associated with cracking and stress fatigue. This is the reason why EMI product suppliers recommend the use of aluminum alloys that offer numerous benefits. With the use of materials as the urethane-filled gasket’s conductive medium, they’re used up or destroyed in the assembly, when interacting with strong aluminum components. An expanded metal also helps in the uniform distribution of interfacing surface load. It leads to the removal of powerful stress points, which can add to pitting incidence. The microscopic examination of substrates after gasket deflection results in no adverse outcome with expanded aluminum-based gaskets. On the contrary, woven-wired materials may produce stress points at wire-overlap positions, resulting in surface pitting.
Corrosion Reduction Reduces TCO
The urethane-filled gaskets are resistant to corrosion, and this functionality helps in the reduction of aircraft TCO. The use of expanded aluminum gaskets with high sealing efficiency helps to reduce the entry of water and the resultant electrolytic environment. Aluminum is the standard base material for designing substrate. And using the expanded metal as the gasket’s conductive medium has its own benefits. The conductive property galvanically goes with the sealing solution and the mating assembly. Aircraft vendors can reduce the costs associated with rework and component substitution that are related to corrosion.
Aerospace devices and equipment require electromagnetic interference shielding material that provides resistivity to unwanted radiations. The components used in the aviation sector should adhere to several requirements. The urethane-filled aluminum gaskets have been serving the aerospace and defense industry for years. Reputed EMI shielding gasket suppliers strive to improve their processes and focus on research and development to accommodate the needs of this industry. Gaskets for the defense sector come in the form of cushioning pads, advanced communication device seals, sensor protection equipment, radar devices, shielding materials, and high-performance silicone gaskets. These products are designed to work even in adverse weather conditions and remote lands, meeting all performance requirements.
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