Multi-Functional Composite for Electromagnetic Shielding

With electromagnetic (EM) spectrum dominance increasing in importance and US military vehicle and systems being faced with an array of threats from various adversaries, control and management of the EM spectrum will determine where future battles are won or lost. A key feature of this management is protection of electrical/electronic systems from outside sources, both natural and manmade. When left unprotected, upsets and hard faults can result in rendering these systems either temporarily or permanently non-functional. This can adversely impact the mission, and in the case of airborne vehicles result in loss of the platform and even personnel if manned. Although circuit architecture is used to mitigate some of these effects, it is still necessary to protect electronic systems from each other and external. This protection is typically accomplished by enclosure of sensitive electronics and electrical systems within a faraday cage. With increasing energy levels associated with modern battlefield threats (e.g., electromagnetic pulses [EMP] and high-power microwaves [HPM]), providing protection to safeguard electrical/electronic systems for reasonable weight can be a challenge.

In addition, the proliferation of electronics and electrical systems on military platforms makes it difficult to isolate these systems to the confines of a protective enclosure box making the provision of EM protection to the entire structure a desirable solution.

To address EM shielding with minimal platform weight impact, a multi-functional composite has been developed which provides a high level of EM shielding while maintaining its inherent structural properties. Shielding effectiveness levels exceeding 90dB have been demonstrated across a wide frequency range reaching levels in excess of 110dB at certain frequencies. While there are techniques for introducing EM shielding to composites, the levels observed are typically below 60dB and do not address the structural properties achieved with this multi-functional material. This material form expands the shielding capability of a composite material to levels equal with metals for a fraction of the weight.

In addition, due to the additive manufacturing process there is the potential to increase these levels even further with discrete placement and quantity of select materials and their forms into the base laminate. Due to the multifunctional aspects for the developed material form (structural and EM shielding), and the manufacturing integration process, custom designed structures can be developed with shielding integrated into those areas necessary to protect electronics and electrical systems. The multi-functional material performance has been validated in both panel and structural configurations and through test results, has demonstrated tailorability at certain frequencies based on interlaminar construction.

This Webinar will trace the development of the multi-functional composite material and provide substantiating data for its performance and application potential. It will highlight the advantages and criticality of the technology in providing EM protection to critical systems with minimal weight impact as compared with existing technologies. Both TRL and MRL will be discussed as well as potential advancements ongoing and planned to further expand the capability of the technology in performance and application.