Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) fabricates EMI gaskets for military electronics that need to meet MIL-DTL-83528 requirements for shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) maintains this U.S. military detail specification and has added multiple SSP materials to its M83528 Qualified Products List (QPL).
SSP’s QPL-certified elastomers meet the full requirements of lettered sections within MIL-DTL-83528 and are available with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every batch. These Made in USA materials are proven alternatives to Parker Chomerics CHO-SEAL® and Nolato Jabar products. They’re also available with lower minimums and faster lead times than you’ll find elsewhere.
Defense contractors who choose SSP’s Type A, B, C, D, and K elastomers are discovering the benefits of sourcing EMI gaskets from us. We cut and mold custom gaskets for military applications, but SSP also offers products in standard M83528 part numbers, of slash sizes, from the materials that we make. Whether you need prototype EMI gaskets or production runs, we invite you to partner with us.
Understanding M83528 Slash Sizes
M83528 slash sizes provide a standardized framework for ensuring that military-grade EMI gaskets deliver consistent, repeatable performance. These alphanumeric designations define material properties, filler systems, and gasket geometries. For engineers, specifying EMI gaskets in M83528 slash sizes helps ensure that your fabricated product:
- Fits the intended connector or enclosure
- Delivers the required shielding effectiveness (typically 100 dB and above)
- Maintains sealing performance under vibration, temperature cycling, and humidity
- Meets required dimensional tolerances for use with military hardware
The MIL-DTL-83528 specification establishes the following structure for slash sizes.
- Military designator (M)
- General specification number (83528/)
- Specification sheet number (3 digits)
- Material type (A to K)
- Dash number (001 and up)
The 3-digit spec sheet number indicates the type of product from which the EMI gasket is fabricated (e.g., solid cord), or the type of gasket that’s produced (e.g., connector gasket). The material type is A, B, C, D, or K, depending on the type of MIL-DTL-83528 silicone that’s used. The dash number indicates the EMI gasket’s nominal dimensions, which are listed in tables the DLA maintains.
Sample Part Number
Together, the elements of a M83528 PIN describe the characteristics of a military-grade EMI gasket. For example, M83528/009A001 indicates the following:
- The EMI gasket is for military application (M).
- It meets MIL-DTL-83528 requirements (83528/).
- The shape is a solid rectangle (009).
- The gasket made of a MIL-DTL-83528, Type A material (A).
- Based on the dash number (001), the width is .063 mm and the height is .042 mm.
M83528 Slash Sizes from SSP
SSP offers the following types of EMI military gaskets in M83528 sizes.
- M83528/001 Solid Cord
- M83528/003 Solid D
- M83528/004 Connector, Flange Mount
- M83528/006 Rectangular D
- M83528/007 Hollow D Strip
- M83528/009 Solid Rectangle
- M83528/010 Solid U Channel
- M83528/011 Hollow Tube
- M83528/013 Round EMI Waveguide
We also fabricate M83528/002 Standard EMI O-Rings and M83528/005 Non-Standard EMI O-Rings. Unlike flat or extruded EMI gaskets, which are typically attached with mechanical fasteners or adhesives, EMI O-rings are designed to fit a groove and are crushed in place during installation. Military applications for EMI O-rings include armored vehicles and missile guidance systems.
Ask SSP for Military Grade EMI Gaskets
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) welcomes inquiries from defense contractors who need EMI gaskets for prototyping or production. With our in-house toolroom and on-site fabrication capabilities, we can cut or mold the M83528 slash sizes that you need with lower MOQs and faster lead times that you’ll find elsewhere. To request a quote or discuss your project, contact us.SS
