Shielded shrink tubing

Heat shrink tubing is about as innocuous as a dry cleaner's coupon -- it performs the singular task of insulating wires (though there are always clever alternate applications devised), and it does it rather well. There are HS tubing stocks with different formulations for durability, and variations that add a grounding wire or a moisture-sealing compound as the sleeve is exposed to heat.

EMC shrinkMate, manufactured by Methode Development Co., Chicago, IL, is a MIL-standard R-46846 heat shrink polyolefin tubing coated on the inside with Methode's exclusive Polymer Thick Film silver ink. The coating provides a complete 360 degree EMC shield around the connector and the shielded cable, thereby eliminating a significant source of electrical leakage from the cable assembly. Unlike ferrite beads, EMC shrinkMate can reduce both ingress and egress of EMI/RFI, as well as minimize the penetration of external contaminants of dust, moisture or oil. The product also eliminates many problems associated with providing an EMI/RFI/ESD shield between solderable and non-solderable surfaces such as stamped metal, plated finishes and shielding paints.

Electrically, the tubing provides a low-resistance shield of less than 1 ohm per inch. Shielding effectiveness varies with tubing diameter and signal frequency, ranging from 40 to 82 dB across a frequency range of 30 MHz to 1 GHz. Operating temperature range for the product is -55° to 135°C. EMC shrinkMate meets stringent aerospace industry specifications for outgassing.

Methode offers the tubing in a sample kit of 6-in. lengths, in diameters of 1/4-, 3/8-, 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-in. In production quantities, the tubing is offered in diameters from 1/8- through 5-in. --RM

For more information: Circle 555 - Methode Development Co., a subsidiary of Methode Electronics, or connect directly to their website via the Online Reader Service Program at http://www.1rs.com/007df-555