Which material for shieldings? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 08:36:38 am
content: I am not sure if this is the right forum category.I am looking for a material/sheet for shielding etc. which should be easily cuttable and to some degree formable (edges).About the type that is used for these simple shields, e.g. in the NanoVNA (picture).Is this aluminum or steel?How thick should it be? I can't measure the ones I have, unfortunately.Would somethinglike this work (aluminum)?Orsteel?Am grateful for advice.Thank you!

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 08:41:19 am
content: It's Tin plated steel. It offers reasonable corrosion protection and good solderability. The traditional source is old food cans [Edit: hence the name 'Tin can']

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 09:11:31 am
content: Quote from: Gyro on September 02, 2023, 08:41:19 amThank you!Would that be something like that?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004729698466.htmlWhat thickness is still workable with scissors or knife?Is 0.2mm already too thick?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 09:18:46 am
content: Good question, I would think the thinner the better for scissors, the traditional tool is 'Tin Snips' (that name again), which are like really heavy scissors. If you're just prototyping / home project then thin brass or copper sheet is also useable, softer, and available from craft stores etc.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 09:52:38 am
content: There are proto kits to make you own shielding cans. I've seen this one but there may be others.https://www.mouser.es/new/harwin/harwin-emc-can-dev-kit/

author: Andreas
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 10:22:03 am
content: Hello,I would etch (like a PCB) (instead of cutting) a shield.There are photosensitive brass sheets (0.3 mm) available see link here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/source-for-rf-sheilding-cans/msg3788141/#msg3788141Tinning can be done with a chemical bath.https://www.seno.de/seno-3211-glanzzinnwith best regardsAndreas

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 10:23:30 am
content: K&S Metals are a supplier to hobby stores that has mixed packets of sheet metal including tin. The hobby stores also sell little sheet bending tools typically used for making scale models.https://ksmetals.com/collections/tin-coated-sheetI've used their brass, copper, and tin for various projects like RF shields and are solderable.Thickness shouldn't be too critical, but obviously the thinner stuff can be more easily cut or bent but also deformed unintentionally.

author: KaneTW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 11:00:52 am
content: Wuerth Elektronik has nickel silver sheets athttps://www.we-online.com/en/components/products/SHIELDIY_SAMPLE_FOLDERand tin plate standard cans athttps://www.we-online.com/en/components/products/WE-SHC

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 11:17:44 am
content: 0,2/0,3mm copper sheets is simple to work with and not to hard to get.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 11:34:57 am
content: Thanks for all the responses.Actually, I am only interested in the basic material, less in ready-made solutions.Quote from: geggi1 on September 02, 2023, 11:17:44 amYes, this could be the solution. For example this?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004330910399.htmlThere are also very thin steel sheets:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004451000362.htmlI just do not know how they behave.Whether they stay in the shape you give them or are so elastic that they flatten out again and again?

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 11:46:01 am
content: bungard sounds like a excellent name for underware

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 12:15:36 pm
content: We used nickel-silver for shielding because it's easy to handle and easy to solder.https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nickel_silver&useskin=vector

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2023, 02:46:15 pm
content: Thank you all for your support!I have ordered this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004330910399.htmlThickness 0.2mm, Width 80mm

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 09:14:15 am
content: Quote from: geggi1 on September 02, 2023, 11:17:44 amThanks again for the advice.This is exactly what I was looking for.You can cut it with household scissors, it keeps the shape you give it and it's sturdy enough.It's probably easy to solder as well.