EMI shielding paints have been used for a long time to protect electronic devices from EMI. There is an abundance of variety when it comes to the types of these paints. Knowing these all, we must follow certain best practices to achieve desired results. In previous post, we discussed about brief over of EMI shielding paints, working principle, types, applications and advantages. This post discusses the best practices of application, key considerations for selection, and challenges you may incur when using them.
Challenges
Following are the challenges and limitations of EMI shielding paint.
- Environmental Impact and Waste Management: Proper paint and related waste disposal is extremely crucial due to potentially hazardous components. It is, therefore, essential to adhere to environmental regulations to minimize ecological impact and ensure safe disposal practices.
- Deterioration Over Time: The shielding paints can degrade with exposure to environmental elements like temperature changes, humidity, UV radiation, and chemical substances. This can pose a challenge to their shielding capabilities and affect overall effectiveness.
- Performance Under Harsh Conditions: These paints may experience reduced efficacy or longevity under extreme circumstances such as high temperatures, humidity extremes, or exposure to harsh chemicals and solvents. This demands tailored formulations or additional protective measures to maintain optimal performance in challenging environments.
Best Practices of Using EMI Shielding Paints
You should follow some best practices and safety considerations when using shielding paints to achieve EMI protection. These practices will help overcome challenges. A few of them include:
- Ensure adequate airflow in the workspace to reduce exposure to paint vapors and chemicals. Utilize exhaust fans or open windows to ventilate the area effectively.
- When mixing or thinning the paint with solvents or thinners, follow manufacturer instructions closely. Ensure to avoid excessive dilution, which could impact the paint's performance and effectiveness in shielding.
- Handle the paint carefully and store it in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat sources. It is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for properly handling, storage, and disposal of paint containers and waste materials.
- It is highly advisable to use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator to shield yourself from paint vapors, solvents, and other airborne particles.
- Check that the application area is clean, dry, and free from dust, dirt, and other contaminants that could affect the paint's adhesion and quality.
- Allow ample drying and curing time as per manufacturer specifications before handling or further processing painted surfaces. Ensure to safeguard freshly painted areas from moisture or humidity during the drying and curing phase.
- Ensure the utilization of the most appropriate application methods such as brushing, spraying, or rolling to achieve the expected level of coverage in uniform paint thickness. Avoid overworking the paint to prevent uneven coating and reduced shielding capability.
- Ensure to clean up spills and drips immediately using appropriate cleaning agents and techniques. Dispose of paint waste and used cleaning materials in accordance with local regulations and environmental standards.
Key Considerations When Selecting the Paint
Following are some of the key things that you should keep in mind when selecting EMI shielding paint include:
- Environmental Conditions: Consider factors like temperature, humidity, and exposure to chemicals or UV rays to which the painted area may be exposed to. Choose a variant that can withstand these conditions while maintaining optimal performance.
- Compliance with Standards: Ensure that the chosen paint meets industry standards and regulations such as MIL-STD-461 for military applications or FCC guidelines for consumer electronics. Choosing a variant that meets the required quality and safety standards is highly advisable.
- Longevity and Robustness: Select a paint that offers durability and resilience against wear, mechanical strain, and environmental stressors. Choosing the right type of shielding paints helps to maintain effective EMI shielding capabilities over an extended period.
- Compatibility with Substrates: To prevent issues like adhesion failure, peeling, or chemical reactions, it is essential to ensure that the paint is compatible with the substrate material and other components in the assembly.
While EMI shielding paint offers a cost-effective solution for shielding electronic surfaces from electromagnetic interference, several other options offer the ultimate protection to devices from EMI. One such preferred option is board-level shields that provide robust, localized shielding in a compact form. Depending on your application needs, you can choose board-level shields from reputable providers like XGR Technologies. Their SnapShot® board-level shields represent a groundbreaking solution, addressing numerous challenges associated with current board level shielding technologies. Contact the XGR team and explore the advantages of utilizing specialized board-level shields for your applications.
