ABOUT US
At Leabank we have many years of experience in the application of a wide range of coatings to plastic and metal products. These finishes are decorative and functional, in particular we have established ourselves as a leader in the application of coatings which provide RFI and EMI shielding.
Electronic equipment can suffer from EMI (electromagnetic interference), RFI (radio frequency interference) and ESD (electrostatic discharge). Integrated circuits and microprocessors generate EMI and RFI and are susceptible to that generated externally.
EMI and RFI occur naturally, but are also created as radio waves, microwaves and by the use of electrical devices. Both electrical and magnetic fields are created inducing current flow in conductors which can cause problems in computers and other equipment.
Plastic cases do not provide a shield in the same way that metal ones do, but have many advantages in other ways. A system of reducing or preventing EMI and RFI in plastic cases is to coat the internal surfaces with a metal layer. We specialise in applying a layer of nickel loaded paint on the inside of plastic components, masking areas as necessary. Metal coatings of silver, copper/silver and copper are also used where nickel may not prove satisfactory. The metal coating will act to suppress emissions, to prevent interference and will allow earthing to avoid an electrostatic build up.
Whilst the ultimate test for improvement in shielding is the measurement of attenuation in decibels, there is however a relationship to conductivity- The greater the conductivity the better the shielding.