As time passes, we find that electronics are becoming irreplaceable tools that make the world go round. In order to protect these devices and the information stored on them, it is critical that electromagnetic shielding is put in place. Not only does reliable electromagnetic shielding protect vital electronics, but it has the potential to protect the user as well. But to ensure the electromagnetic shielding you put in place delivers the necessary level of protection, it is critical that you select a suitable material to craft the medium. Standing as the two prudent alloys used to weave woven wire electromagnetic shielding, this involves weighing the pros and cons of aluminum and copper. W.S. Tyler has helped integrate woven wire into hundreds of applications for over 150 years. In doing so, we have grown passionate about helping those interested in the material understand its true capabilities. To continue this mission, we wrote the following article to help you better understand what alloy you should use to fabricate your woven wire electromagnetic shield. It will cover: Aluminum is a naturally occurring alloy that exists with the periodic table of elements. Known to easily bond with other elements, aluminum is rarely found in its pure form naturally.What Is Aluminum?
That said, W.S. Tyler weaves aluminum woven wire mesh with one of the following variants: 1100 aluminum (pure), alclad 5056, and 5056 aluminum.
Why Use Aluminum for Electromagnetic Shielding?
Its ductility and flexibility allow aluminum wove wire to be formed and molded into various profiles with ease. This enables it to accommodate a wide range of electromagnetic shielding applications.
An electrical conductor, aluminum is extremely effective in absorbing and dispersing electromagnetic radiation waves. This, in turn, effectively directs the electromagnetic energy and lessens the impact of the radiation.
At the same time, aluminum's ability to conduct thermal energy works as an element of dispersing the heat that is generated when the electromagnetic wave comes into contact with the mesh.
As the environment in which shielding varies, it should also be noted that aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion. It forms an oxide layer that protects it from various environments, exceptionally high moisture environments.
Another key benefit to aluminum is that it's non-magnetic. This is critical when magnetic interference is a concern, but optimal shielding is required.
What Is Copper?
Copper is a woven wire alloy that has been used for thousands of years and is widely known for its reliable corrosion resistance. While it delivers high ductility, copper has a relatively low tensile strength.
Easy to form, copper woven wire is also known for its great thermal conductivity.
Why Use Copper for Electromagnetic Shielding?
First and foremost, copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. One of the best conductors in regards to woven wire alloys.
Like aluminum, this allows copper mesh to absorb and redirect electromagnetic energy with high efficiency.
This efficiency remains true even after a prolonged period of time. This is because copper is relatively durable, resisting deterioration and preserving its shielding capabilities.
Again, like aluminum, copper lacks magnetic properties. This means that it is perfect for applications that rely on peak shielding performance but can't afford magnetic interference.
Additionally, copper is known to form a similar oxide layer, protecting it from corrosion. This allows the alloy to perform even when exposed to heavy moisture.
Its thermal conductivity should also be noted. This thermal conductivity works to disperse the heat that is created when the electromagnetic waves and mesh interact with one another.
A key factor associated with copper is that it can be used in conjunction with other materials. This includes various coating and composite materials that can further improve the protection your woven wire shields provide.
For those that are looking to implement shielding with a reduced impact on the environment, copper is recyclable and environmentally friendly.
Aluminum vs. Copper: Which Should I Use?
As described above, electrical conductivity, shielding performance, and corrosion resistance are the key factors that make an alloy suitable for a given electromagnetic shielding application. Understanding how aluminum and copper differ when looking at these factors will help you best determine what alloy is best suited for you.
When it comes to electrical conductivity, copper provides superior functionality to aluminum. As a result, copper can better absorb and distribute electromagnetic energy.
Looking further into shielding performance, its ability to effectively negate electromagnetic energy places copper ahead of aluminum in terms of shielding performance.
Now, while both alloys create an oxide layer to combat corrosion, copper offers superior corrosion-resistant properties. This makes it the preferred alloy for outdoor and high-moisture applications.
But while electrical conductivity, shielding performance, and corrosion resistance are critical, the weight, cost, and formability of the two alloys must also be considered.
Aluminum is significantly lighter than copper. In fact, it's one of the lightest alloys used to weave woven wire.
This lightweight property can be critical to applications such as aerospace and automotive, in which weight is a deciding factor. So if you are concerned about weight, aluminum may be the preferred alloy, considering it still offers great shielding performance.
And while copper offers superior performance, it also comes with a heftier price tag. When managing large-scale projects with budget restrictions, aluminum should always be considered, again, as its shielding performance is not that much different than copper.
Additionally, copper is known to be a softer easier-to-form material. This leaves aluminum as the less flexible, more delicate material.
Fit Your Woven Wire Electromagnetic Shields to Your Exact Needs
Aluminum and copper are both naturally occurring alloys that are widely used to craft electromagnetic shielding. While copper offers superior qualities when it comes to electrical conductivity, shielding performance, and corrosion resistance, aluminum weight and cost-effectiveness can often outweigh the marginal performance differences.
Once you've identified an alloy that delivers the performance right for you, the next steps are to gain an understanding of how to handle woven wire. This will enable you to form your mesh in a way that preserves the integrity of the mesh, ensuring peak shielding performance.
With over 150 years of experience helping weave woven wire into the fabric of everyday life, W.S. Tyler continues to make strives toward a safer world.
Read the following article to gain insight into the forming of woven wire mesh components:
- How Are Custom Wire Mesh Components Formed?
