Spliced and Molded EMI Shielding Gaskets

EMI shielding gaskets are sold in several different materials with a limitless amount of sizes and shapes. Typically, base materials are made from fluorosilicone or silicon that has fillers like silver, silver-plated aluminum, and nickel-plated graphite. These conductive elastomers are one of the most versatile products for EMI shielding gaskets.

EMI Shielding

Manufacturers use two main processes to create gaskets:

Splicing: this process fuses together extruded ends to create custom O-rings. When finished, parts have an immensely strong bond.

Advantages of splicing include:

  • They require little or no tooling, which translates to low upfront capital investments
  • They are used with hollow cross-section profiles that allow for creating parts that accommodate low compression force enclosures
  • Bulk material can be extruded in long lengths
  • Quicker turnaround times

Molding: this process compresses uncured conductive elastomers into a custom designed mold. Materials take and maintain shapes after being cured.

Advantages of molding include:

  • Complex parts are easily joined in a variety of cross sections across one part
  • Easily hold tolerances within a thousandth of an inch
  • Retains the shape of the mold that created them
  • Commonly made in tiny O-rings and parts

EMI Shielding

Both manufacturing methods produce almost endless numbers of shapes and profiles. Just as splicing and molding have their benefits, they also have disadvantages. Weighing the pros and cons is the best way to pick a manufacturing method. If you need more information for designing EMI shielding gaskets, you should contact our talented team.

 

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