Conductive Foam
High-Performance Conductive Foam for EMI Protection & Cushioning
Speak With An EngineerWhat is Conductive Foam?
Conductive foam gaskets are specialized components made from electrically conductive materials designed to provide effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, static discharge prevention, and protection for sensitive electronic components. These EMI gaskets create a compressible, conductive barrier that ensures electrical continuity between surfaces while absorbing shocks and vibrations. In many applications, conductive foam tape is also used to provide easy installation and enhanced sealing performance. These gaskets play a critical role in industries such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, medical devices, and aerospace, where maintaining signal integrity and safeguarding delicate electronics from electrostatic discharge is paramount.
Conductive foam materials typically include nickel-coated or carbon-based formulations, which combine excellent electrical conductivity with lightweight and flexible properties. Nickel-coated foam offers superior corrosion resistance and consistent conductivity, while carbon-based foam provides cost-effective shielding with good compression recovery. The key benefits of conductive foam gaskets lie in their ability to conform to complex shapes, provide reliable EMI shielding, and reduce the weight burden on devices. Their flexibility and durability make them ideal for high-performance environments where both environmental protection and shielding effectiveness are essential.
Types of Custom Solutions
Nickle-Coated Foam
Offers excellent corrosion resistance and stable, high electrical conductivity. Ideal for harsh environments where long-term performance and durability are critical
Carbon-Based Foam
Offers effective EMI shielding at a lower cost, with good conductivity and flexibility. Suitable for applications needing lightweight, economical solutions
Silver-Coated Foam
Delivers superior conductivity and antimicrobial properties, making it useful in sensitive medical and high-frequency electronic applications
Hybrid Foam (Nickel-Carbon or Silver-Carbon)
Combines the benefits of metal coatings and carbon for balanced conductivity, durability, and cost efficiency
Industries & Applications
Conductive foam is widely used across various industries where EMI shielding, ESD protection, and grounding are crucial for maintaining electronic performance and ensuring regulatory compliance. Its lightweight, flexible, and conductive properties make it ideal for safeguarding sensitive components in various demanding environments.
- Consumer Electronics & Medical Devices - Provide EMI shielding and grounding in compact, sensitive devices to ensure signal integrity and safety.
- Aerospace, Defense & Automotive - Lightweight, durable shielding and ESD protection for mission-critical systems and electric vehicles.
- Telecommunications and IT Infrastructure - Minimize interference and ensure proper grounding in high-speed, high-density networking environments.
- Industrial Electronics & Packaging - Rugged EMI shielding, environmental sealing, and static protection for automation systems and component handling.
Why Choose Our Conductive Foam Solutions?
PGC's conductive foam solutions offer outstanding shielding effectiveness, providing reliable protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) for sensitive electronics. Engineered for durability, these custom parts maintain performance even under repeated compression and harsh environmental conditions, ensuring long-term reliability.
Manufactured with ease of use in mind, PGC's flexible, lightweight materials enable quick and straightforward installation, as well as seamless integration, thereby reducing assembly time and costs. Together, these qualities make PGC's custom conductive foam solutions a dependable and efficient choice for protecting electromagnetic devices across various industries.
Contact PGC today to learn how our custom solutions can enhance your application's performance and reliability.
FAQ's
What is conductive foam used for?
Conductive foam is utilized for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and grounding in electronic devices to safeguard sensitive components and ensure reliable performance.
How does conductive foam compare to metal shielding?
Conductive foam is lighter, more flexible, and easier to install than metal shielding, offering adequate EMI protection in compact or irregular spaces. However, metal typically provides higher shielding performance in very demanding environments.
Can conductive foam be cut to custom shapes?
Yes, conductive foam can be easily cut into custom shapes to fit specific design requirements and applications.
What are common applications for conductive foam tape?
Common applications for conductive foam tape include EMI shielding and grounding in various electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, medical devices, and automotive components. It’s often used to fill gaps, cushion components, and maintain electrical continuity in tight or irregular spaces.