Conductive Cloth Tape: Structure, Uses, Characteristics & Buying Guide

Against the backdrop of the rapid development of modern electronic information technology, various electronic devices are emerging in an endless stream, and the electromagnetic environment is becoming increasingly complex. Electromagnetic interference not only affects the normal operation of equipment but may also damage its performance and service life. Moreover, the stability of electrical connections such as grounding is the foundation for the reliable operation of equipment. Under such demands, conductive cloth tape, with its unique structure and excellent performance, has become one of the key materials to solve the above problems.​

Abstract​

Conductive cloth tape is composed of a fabric backing, conductive coating, adhesive, and release paper or release film. It possesses characteristics such as good conductivity, excellent electromagnetic shielding performance, and abrasion resistance. It is widely used in multiple fields including electronic device manufacturing, communications, and automotive electronics. There are many precautions for its use and storage, making it an indispensable important material in modern industry.​

Structure and Composition​ of conductive cloth tape

• Fabric backing: Usually made of woven polyester fiber or cotton materials, it provides flexibility and mechanical strength, and can adapt to the pasting needs of different shapes and surfaces.​

• Conductive coating: A layer of conductive metal, such as nickel and copper, is covered on the fabric surface through processes like electroplating or coating, enabling the tape to have good conductivity and electromagnetic shielding performance.​

• Adhesive: Generally, there are types such as conductive acrylic adhesive and hot-melt adhesive, which are used to fix the conductive cloth in the required position and ensure a good electrical connection with the pasted object. Some high-performance conductive cloth tapes use conductive adhesives containing metal particles to enhance conductivity and shielding effect.​

• Release paper or release film: Covered on the surface of the adhesive, it protects the adhesive from contamination before use, facilitates the storage and transportation of the tape, and can be torn off when in use.​

Characteristics​ of conductive cloth tape

• Good conductivity: It can provide a low-resistance path for current, ensuring stable and reliable electrical connections inside electronic devices, and meeting functional requirements such as grounding and shielding.​

• Excellent electromagnetic shielding performance: It can effectively block or attenuate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), preventing electronic devices from being affected by external electromagnetic waves, and at the same time, avoiding electromagnetic waves generated by the device itself from interfering with other components or surrounding equipment.​

• Good abrasion resistance: The specially treated conductive cloth tape has a high number of abrasion resistance cycles, such as 5,000,000 times (NF35B050, ASTM D 4966). It is not easy to be damaged due to friction during use, ensuring the service life and performance stability of the tape.​

• Good metal adhesion and Z-direction conductivity: It can firmly bond with metal surfaces and has good conductivity in the direction perpendicular to the tape plane (Z-direction), ensuring the electrical connection effect in different directions.​

• Good processability: It is soft in texture, easy to cut and slit, and has no burrs after slitting, which is convenient for customized processing according to different application scenarios and needs. In addition, it has anti-fingerprint contamination and anti-oxidation treatment to keep the surface of the tape clean and performance stable.​

Application Fields​ of conductive cloth tape

• Electronic device manufacturing: Used for internal shielding and grounding of electronic products such as computers, mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, such as display bezels, circuit boards, and battery modules. It can effectively reduce electromagnetic interference and improve the stability and reliability of the equipment.​

• Communication field: In devices such as communication base stations, routers, and switches, it is used to shield electromagnetic interference, ensure stable signal transmission, and improve communication quality.​

• Automotive electronics: Applied to components such as automotive electronic control systems, in-vehicle entertainment systems, and sensors, it prevents electromagnetic interference from affecting automotive electronic equipment, ensuring the safe operation of the car and the normal realization of various functions.​

• Aerospace and national defense: In aerospace and national defense equipment such as aircraft, satellites, and radars, it is used for electromagnetic shielding and grounding to ensure the reliable operation of equipment in complex electromagnetic environments.​

• Wires and cables: It can be used for the repair of the shielding layer of wires and cables, the enhancement and shielding of connection parts, preventing signal leakage and external interference, and improving the transmission performance of cables.​

Precautions for Use and Storage​ of conductive cloth tape

• Temperature recovery before use: When used in a low-magnetic natural environment, the tape needs to be warmed up to room temperature (about 20°C) for more than three hours to ensure the adhesiveness, conductivity, and other properties of the tape.​

• Packaging and storage: Conductive cloth tape products are usually packaged with wrapping paper or shrink film and placed in appropriate cartons. They should be stored in a cool place, avoiding high temperature or high humidity environments to prevent the performance of the tape from being affected.​

• Shelf life: Generally speaking, the quality guarantee period of conductive cloth tape is about 6 months after production, and it should be used within the shelf life to ensure that its performance meets the requirements.​

To sum up, conductive cloth tape plays a vital role in many fields with its unique structure and excellent performance. With the continuous progress of science and technology and the increasing requirements for the performance of electronic equipment, the application prospect of conductive cloth tape will be broader, and its performance will continue to be optimized and improved, providing more powerful support for the development of various industries.