Overview electrically conductive elastomers
Constant conductive elastomers
Constant conductive elastomers are seals for highest demands, composed of a homogeneous mixture of conductive particles in elastomers.
In addition to the excellent electrical properties, these seals offer the highest environmental protection (up to IP68).
If electrically conductive elastomers should be resistant against aggressive substances like hydraulic oils and kerosene it is recommended to use fluor silicone as elastomer.
Stamped parts or moulded parts are produced according to customer needs.
Conductive coated silicone
Silicone cords with an electrically conductive coated skin include a number of very soft gaskets with good shielding properties.
No electrically conductive fillers are used for the sealing core resulting in ideal properties concerning pressure and resistance to age. The excellent electrical conductivity is ensured by the coated skin that consists of silver filled silicone.
The core either consists of foamed silicone profiles or of extruded silicone profiles with a shore hardness of 50 shore A. Depending on the material thickness other shore hardnesses are also possible.
Coextruded elastomers
Coextruded elastomer profiles consist of a conductive and a non-conductive elastomer. In addition to excellent shielding properties, the profiles, which are produced in a single extrusion process, also offer high protection against environmental influences.
The advantage of co-extruded elastomers is that a large part of conductive particles can be saved if only a small part of the profile has to be electrically conductive. Especially for large profiles, this product variant represents an inexpensive alternative to the constant conductive elastomers. At the same time, the mechanical properties of pure silicone can also be better retained, because the addition of fillers normally lead to an increase in hardness and a decrease in tensile strength.
Depending on the filling material, the conductive component achieves shielding values between 80 and 120 , the non-conductive component protection up to IP68 in a temperature range from -55°C to +160 °C.
This product variant is manufactured according to customer requirements. A wide variety of shapes such as hollow chamber profiles, U-profiles or profiles with a protruding tongue are possible. Fluorosilicone can also be used for applications with oil or fuel.
Oriented wires in silicone
Coextruded elastomer profiles consist of a conductive and a non-conductive elastomer. In addition to excellent shielding properties, the profiles, which are produced in a single extrusion process, also offer high protection against environmental influences.
The advantage of co-extruded elastomers is that a large part of conductive particles can be saved if only a small part of the profile has to be electrically conductive. Especially for large profiles, this product variant represents an inexpensive alternative to the constant conductive elastomers. At the same time, the mechanical properties of pure silicone can also be better retained, because the addition of fillers normally lead to an increase in hardness and a decrease in tensile strength.
In addition to the elastic EMI/RFI shielding the material offers an excellent dust and splash water protection. Solid silicone, used with the right contact pressure, meets the environmental requirements according to 65. If it is possible that the seal also contacts with aggressive fluids like hydraulic oil, kerosene, etc. it is advisable to use fluor silicone.
Too much compression, when gasket mounted in a groove, can result in deformation of the wires.