Elastomerics Blog

Autonomous vehicles and unmanned systems contain sensors, processors, and communications modules that are subject to electromagnetic interference (EMI). As these platforms add more electronic content, the risk of EMI from nearby circuits or intentional jamming increases. For design engineers, EMI shielding solutions must include enclosure-level protection.

Stockwell Elastomerics converts silicone-based materials into enclosure gaskets that provide both EMI shielding and environmental sealing. Silicone is inherently insulating, but EMI gasket materials that contain metal particles or strands provide electrical conductivity. Silicone’s material properties, especially its environmental resistance, supports its use as the base elastomer.

Radar Interference

Autonomous vehicles and unmanned systems use radar for object detection, collision avoidance, and situational awareness. These radar modules operate at high frequencies and are susceptible to stray emissions from onboard power electronics, DC-DC converters, and high-speed processors. Without EMI shielding, these emissions can degrade performance or interrupt communications.

The EMI gaskets that Stockwell Elastomerics fabricates help prevent internal emissions from escaping radar housings. They also block external interference from nearby transmitters and sensors. Because they use silicone as the base elastomer, these gaskets withstand outdoor temperatures and provide environmental sealing against moisture, dust, and vibration.

Communications Integrity

Autonomous systems use vehicle‑to‑vehicle (V2V), vehicle‑to‑infrastructure (V2X), satellite links, telemetry, and internal data buses for continuous communication. Yet EMI can degrade signal quality, increase latency, or cause intermittent dropouts. Electrically conductive rubber gaskets provide proven levels of shielding effectiveness and help ensure stable communications links.

Applications include shielding RF module transceivers from broadband interference and protecting high-speed digital buses that use data communication protocols such as CAN or Ethernet. Conductive silicone gaskets also reduce cross-talk between densely packed antennas and sensors while maintaining electrical conductivity under vibration and thermal cycling.

MIL‑SPEC Shielding

Some unmanned systems must meet the requirements of MIL-STD-461, a U.S. military standard for limiting electromagnetic interference. MIL-DTL-83528, a U.S. military detail specification, applies to elastomeric shielding gaskets. Stockwell Elastomerics fabricates military-grade EMI gasket materials that are part of the Defense Logistics Agency’s M83528 Qualified Product List (QPL).

These advanced materials include fluorosilicone elastomers that Stockwell can cut or mold into EMI gaskets that combine MIL-SPEC shielding with resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents. Depending on the lettered material type (i.e., A through L), MIL-DTL-83528 silicones and fluorosilicones provide shielding levels ranging from 90 dB to 110 dB at a frequency of 10 GHz.

Drone Electronics Protection

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones pack flight controllers, global positioning system (GPS) modules, RF transmitters, cameras, and edge processors into extremely tight spaces. Lightweight EMI shielding helps extend battery-powered operations and prevents interference between modules and from external sources.

Stockwell Elastomerics fabricates combination silicone sponge and wire mesh gaskets that contain Monel wire for electrical conductivity. The silicone sponge that’s used in these hybrid gaskets has a density of around 0.25 to 0.45 g/cm³. By comparison, solid silicone that’s electrically conductive often ranges between 1.8 and 2.2 g/cm³ because of its heavy filler loading.

Edge Computing Enclosures

Autonomous systems that use edge computing process sensor data locally instead of sending it to the cloud. The enclosures that house these high-speed chips need to prevent EMI leakage while maintaining thermal stability in hot environments. For sealed enclosures, long-term compression resistance is also essential.

The silicone-based EMI shielding materials that Stockwell Elastomerics fabricates can meet all these requirements. In civilian applications, such as autonomous systems for farming, solid silicones that contain cost-effective nickel-graphite particles can be used. In marine environments, nickel-aluminum silicone and flurosilicone materials are selected because they resist galvanic corrosion.

Find EMI Shielding Solutions for Autonomous Systems

Stockwell Elastomerics is an experienced EMI gasket fabricator that serves military and civilian customers and helps design engineers with material selection. To talk to our Applications Engineering Team, complete our on-line form, email service@stockwell.com, or call (215) 335-3005.