Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of Stainless Steel/Polyester Woven Fabrics

This paper presents a preliminary study of the development of stainless steel/polyester woven fabrics for electromagnetic shielding applications. To facilitate weaving of stainless steel wires and to reduce material costs, initially blended yarns of stainless steel and polyester staple fibers are produced by a ring spinning method, then woven into a variety of structures. Using a coaxial transmission set-up, the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) of these fabrics is determined in the frequency range of 300 kHz to 3 GHz. Variations of EMSE with the woven structures, number of layers, and blend ratio of stainless steel to polyester in the yarns are described. The new textile material may be suitable for shielding home electronics and electrical appliances from electromagnetic fields.