Designing EMI gaskets is difficult for those that do not know what they are doing. Many factors are involved in designing and creating gaskets; one wrong move can cause significant issues down the road. Much skill, training, and tools are needed to design Form-In-Place electromagnetic interference gaskets adequately. Below, we want to highlight some essential tips to keep in mind when designing EMI gaskets.
When creating designs, it is vital to remain out of the grooves. FIP EMI gaskets have grooves in their dispense path, which need to be avoided. When gasket materials get into a narrow groove, it often causes materials to cure towards walls (away from the center). When this happens, improper sealing is the most common consequence. It can also cause spotty compression forces.
Never forget to factor in compression forces for EMI gaskets. Conductive silicone gaskets especially need to take into account compression force. The gasket must be compressed with the exact pressure to ensure safe and effective usage.
Material choice for shielding gasket matters. Different materials are used for specialized applications and environments, which means that not all materials can be used interchangeably. Making choices solely from a budget perspective can end up causing more harm than good. The most commonly used materials include:
- Nickle aluminum
- Nickel graphite
- Silver
- Silver copper
- Silver nickel
- Silver aluminum
When possible, you should work to avoid sloping surfaces. A conductive FIP is applied as a liquid, and the liquid moves downward. When at an angle, the dispensing process becomes challenging.