Ultra-lightweight hybrid woven fabric containing stainless steel/polyester composite yarn for total EMI shielding in frequency range 8–18 GHz

Abstract

This article describes the preparation of composite conductive yarn from stainless steel and polyester staple fibre with different fibre composition adopting worsted spinning system. The conducting yarn was successfully woven into variety of hybrid woven structures in the Picanol Gammax Rapier Loom. The aim of this research was to develop conducting yarn of different conductivity level (linear resistance 6–9 kΩ/m to 150–200 Ω/m) and subsequent conversion of yarn into ultra-lightweight woven fabric (~100 gsm) for providing electro-magnetic interference/radio frequency interference shielding effectiveness to the electronic equipment/devices. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of these woven fabrics was evaluated in free space microwave measurement system in microwave frequency (8–18 GHz) for vertical and horizontal polarization of electromagnetic wave. EMSE of ~31 dB in single layer of fabric is achieved. The effect of various fabric parameters, i.e. yarn spacing, yarn density and weave structure, on behaviour of electromagnetic wave has also been studied.