Metal fibers and fabrics as shielding materials for composites, missiles and airframes

The advantages of metal fibers as shielding materials are examined, including minimal alteration of base resin properties, shrinkage similar to unfilled resins, excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance (long life), and cost effectiveness. Applications of metal fibers as related to EMI (electromagnetic interference), ESD (electrostatic discharge) and lightning-strike problems in composite structures are examined. The characteristics of nonwoven metallic fabrics, continuous multifilament yarns, and broken fibers are examined. It is concluded that metal fibers have the ability to solve ever-increasing shielding demands in an effective manner with current processes. They are also easily combined with many of the new engineering resins with minimal effect on resin characteristics