Use Of Conductive Textiles In Electromagnetic Shielding:

Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) is defined as the degree of shielding against electromagnetic interference at a specific frequency. Electromagnetic energy is absorbed, reflected or transmitted by the materials.

An important factor for all electromagnetic shielding textiles is including the suitable amount of conductive yarns or other conductive components since conductive materials weaken the electromagnetic weaves by reflection.

Therefore, materials which are intended to be utilized in electromagnetic shielding applications must have the property of being electrically conductive. Smoother surfaces are preferred for better shielding effectiveness.

It is known that best materials used for electromagnetic shielding are based on metals. Metals are known to reduce the effects of radio waves, electromagnetic and electrostatic fields. The effectiveness of these materials depends on the type of the material used, connections of the conductive net and the frequency of the electromagnetic weave. However, since the materials based on metals have some disadvantages such as rigidity, heavy weight and weak comfort properties in end use, they are increasingly being replaced by thermoplastics especially for commercial applications due to high flexibility, light weight, low cost and etc.

Research On Electromagnetic Shielding Textiles At Ege University Textile Engineering Department:

Some studies and research on electromagnetic shielding with conductive textiles have started in the laboratories of Ege University Textile Engineering Department. The research is planned to cover the electromagnetic shielding (EMSE) properties of conductive yarns and fabrics, production of conductive yarns, their integration into the fabric structures with different designs, measurement and evaluation of the fabrics developed.

Production of EMS Textiles:

In the current research, trials will be made by producing woven and knitted textile structures, including conductive yarns either produced in the spinning laboratory of the department or supplied from the market. Afterwards, EMSE of these materials will be measured and the effect of yarn and fabric parameters (material type, yarn count, twist, and type of production, weight, construction, amount and distribution of conductive yarns in the fabric) on the shielding function will be investigated systematically.

 

EMSE Measurements:

For EMSE measurements, the Electromagnetic Competence (EMC) Test Device will be used. The device consists of a shielded room and a Rhode& Schwarz testing equipment which includes an RF power amplifier, a signal generator, a spectrum analyzer and two antennas; one is connected to the signal generator and the other to the spectrum analyzer as receiver.

According to the basic principle of EMSE test, the sample is placed between a signal generator and a receiver, thus the amount of transmitted signals are measured and electromagnetic field blocked by the sample is calculated. The signal, generated in the signal generator is sent onto the sample through an antenna after being amplified. The amounts of signals transmitted by the sample are then detected by the receiver antenna, situated on the other side of the sample.