Field Application of EMI Coatings Investigation of Coating Materials and Stylus Electroplating Protocols for Shielded Facilities.
Abstract
To maintain reliable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for electronic equipment shelter interfaces, mating surfaces such as doors and interfaces must provide low contact resistances and be resistant to excessive amounts of corrosion and mechanical wear that would tend to degrade their shielding integrity. The objective of this research was to establish the efficacy of stylus electroplating as a potentially viable field maintenance/repair technique for application of corrosion resistant, wear resistant coatings in order to help maintain the shielding integrity of those interfaces. Aluminum alloy (6061-T6) knife-edge and channel test pieces were stylus electroplated with tin or tin-lead coatings with nickel or copper underlayers. A custom-designed electroplating tool developed for electroplating the complex geometry of a knife-edge substrate appears to provide better control of the plating process and circumvents possible interference with previously deposited areas. This research has resulted in an optimized procedure for producing coatings that exhibit greater adherence, better uniformity, less scarring, and fewer blisters and ridges compared to those previously reported. An optimum electroplating strategy is suggested, which includes applying tin or tin-lead top layers over a thick layer of copper and a thin nickel strike.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307706
Entities
People
- L. D. Stephenson
- L. H. Donoho
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory