EMI Shielding Silicones, Fluorosilicones, and EPDM

SSP makes sheets, rolls, extrusions, and ready-to-mold compounds. Options include:

  • MIL-DTL-83528 QPL Certified
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Low Shore A/Soft
  • Fuel and Solvent Resistant
  • Low Outgassing
  • Most Conductive
  • Flame Retardant
  • EMI Connector Gaskets
  • Reinforced
  • Most Cost Effective
  • Non-Silicone Based EMI Elastomer
emi connector gaskets | conductive elastomer material

EMI Shielding Elastomers

SSP makes the following types of materials as as sheets, rolls, and ready-to-mold compounds. We also make EMI extrusions and fabricate products like EMI gaskets and EMI O-rings.

Mil-DTL-83528 QPL Certified EMI Shielding Silicones

SSP is a DLA listed manufacturer that makes electrically conductive elastomer materials the requirements of the MIL-DTL-83528 standard from the U.S. military. Many of our products are part of the DLA’s Qualified Product Lists (QPL). Find Type A, B, C, D, and K materials, including offsets to CHO-SEAL EMI shielding, for EMI military applications.

conductive elastomers | emi shielding | SSP502-65-COMPOSITE | SSP502F60-COMPOSITE

Corrosion Resistant EMI Shielding Silicones

SSP makes nickel-plated aluminum filled silicones and flurorosilicones that are designed for corrosive environments with heavy salt spray, including military ships and marine applications. Salt Spray Test data is available for this corrosion resistant conductive elastomers.

conductive elastomers | emi shielding | SSP502-65-COMPOSITE | SSP502F60-COMPOSITE

Low Shore A/Soft EMI Shielding Silicones

SSP makes softer, electrically conductive silicones in durometers as low as 30 Shore A. These EMI silicones allow for lower enclosure forces and better sealing capabilities. Products include an offset to GORE GS2100, a discontinued conductive silicone rubber from W.L. Gore.

emi fluorosilicones | emi gasket material selection

Fuel & Solvent Resistant EMI Shielding Silicones

EMI shielding materials that use fluorosilicone as the base elastomer provide fuel and solvent resistance. Applications include jet fuels, de-icing fluids, and other harsh chemicals. These conductive elastomers include a QPL listed MIL-DTL-83528 material. 

electrically conductive silicone | conductive silicone materials

Low Outgassing EMI Shielding Silicones

SSP has designed low outgassing conductive silicone materials for space and high vacuum applications. These low outgassing electrically conductive silicone materials are tested to ASTM595 via third-party laboratories. These electrically conductive silicone materials are also available as fabricated products.

conductive silicone rubber

Most Electrically Conductive Silicones

These EMI silicones are extremely conductive elastomers where the lowest possible surface conductivity is required. They are SSP’s most electrically conductive silicone rubber materials.

electrically conductive silicone | conductive silicone materials

Flame Retardant EMI Shielding Silicones

UL94 V0 vertical burn tested conductive elastomers where flame retardant specifications along with EMI shielding and environmental sealing is required.

emi shielding silicones | SSP-5259 Nickel Aluminum Shielding Silicone

Reinforced EMI Shielding Silicones

Conductive fabric reinforced shielding elastomer for maximum structural stability used in thin wall parts to prevent tearing.

ssp502-55LT | emi seal material

SSP502-65 supports thinner, smaller, and lighter-weight designs. This EMI seal material also offers performance levels that are comparable to shielding silicones with silver-coated particles. SSP502-65 is cost-effective and, unlike silver-filled silicones, isn’t subject to fluctuating silver prices. 

emi elastomer

Non-Silicone Based EMI Shielding Elastomers

SSP2514-75 is a nickel coated graphite filled conductive EPDM based shielding elastomer. It is used when looking for excellent ozone and UV resistance along with good compression set and solvent resistance.

EMI Shielding Material Guide and Catalog

Download our EMI/RFI Shielding Materials Guide or our EMI/Silicones Catalog , or scroll to see the different types of EMI/RFI elastomers that we offer.

You can also see a breakdown of our most popular products by filler.

EMI Materials
What are SSP's EMI RFI shielding solutions, and how do they compare to competitors' products?
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EMI Shielding Comparisons

EMI/RFI elastomers are shielding materials that combine the advantages of rubber with the electrical properties of metals. An inert, synthetic elastomer, silicone offers thermal stability over a wide temperature range along with resistance to ozone, water, and sunlight. When filled with tiny metal or metal-coated particles, silicone compounds combine EMI shielding and electrical conductivity with environmental sealing.

EMI Shielding Comparision: Volume Resistivity

The table below shows the relationship between filler type, electrical conductivity, and typical volume resistivity (VR) as measured in ohms per centimeter. Direct methods for measuring shielding effectiveness can be expensive and complex, so VR is a commonly-used method for indicating EMI shielding effectiveness indirectly. Note that typically, the fill material in EMI gaskets is pure silver, or a silver-plated or nickel-coated material.   

Filler Type

Electrical
Conductivity

Typical VR

(ohms/cm)

Silver

Extremely Conductive

.0009

Silver-Aluminum

Super Conductive

.003

Silver-Copper

Super Conductive

.003

Silver-Glass

Very Conductive

.006

Nickel-Graphite

Conductive

.01

Carbon Black

Semi-Conductive

8.0

EMI Shielding Comparison: Costs

Today’s electronic designers can specify alternative particle fills. Choices such as nickel-graphite cost significantly less, as the table below shows. Note the difference between silver, silver-aluminum, and nickel-graphite.

Filler Type

Cost

Silver

$$$$$

Silver-Aluminum

$$$$

Silver-Copper

$$$$

Silver-Glass

$$$

Nickel-Graphite

$$

Carbon Black

$

RFI Shielding Materials vs. EMI Shielding Materials

RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) materials and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) materials both serve to protect electronic devices from external interference or prevent devices from emitting unwanted signals. However, there are some distinctions between the two.

RFI Materials

  • Purpose: An RFI material is specifically designed to shield or block interference at radio frequencies, typically in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz. This interference can disrupt the functioning of sensitive electronic components or communication systems.
  • Use Cases:
    • Wireless communication devices.
    • Equipment that relies on precise radio frequency signals, like antennas or receivers.
  • Properties: RFI materials are optimized for blocking or absorbing radio waves specifically, making them effective for shielding at the RF spectrum.

EMI Materials

  • Purpose: An EMI material provides a broader range of protection across the electromagnetic spectrum, including not just radio frequencies but also lower (e.g., power-line interference) and higher frequency ranges (e.g., microwaves).
  • Use Cases:
    • Devices like computers, power supplies, or medical equipment that emit or are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.
    • Protection against a wider range of interference, from electrical noise to higher-frequency disturbances.
  • Properties: EMI materials often include conductive or magnetic components to block or redirect electromagnetic waves at various frequencies.

Key Differences: RFI Material vs. EMI Material

  1. Frequency Focus:

    • RFI: Narrower focus, specific to radio frequencies.
    • EMI: Broader range, covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
  2. Material Design:

    • RFI Shielding Materials: May prioritize blocking or absorbing RF waves specifically.
    • EMI Shielding Materials: Often include general-purpose shielding, such as conductive coatings, gaskets, or foams, to address a wider range of interference.
  3. Applications:

    • RFI materials are ideal for use in systems with high sensitivity to radio wave interference.
    • EMI materials are suited for broader electronic system protection where multiple types of interference might occur.

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