Progress in Polymer-based Composites as Efficient Materials for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Applications: A Review

: Different electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials have been developed over time. In the past electromagnetic (EM) shielding technology made use of metals and their composites because of good shielding effectiveness but their low elasticity high density and corrosion tendency render them obsolete. Ceramic-based composites have also gained popularity for EMI shielding applications because of their low density and excellent corrosion resistance but high absorption loss is a major drawback. Recently, polymer-based composites have attracted attention because they make for superb EMI shielding with the advantages of electromagnetic wave absorption over reflection and have been widely used with fast growth in application after their emergence. This paper reviews the progress of polymer-based composites as efficient materials for electromagnetic interference shielding and applications. : Electromagnetic (EM) waves are formed by the interaction of an electric field and a magnetic field. EM waves require no specific medium through which they can move. Their movement can be though air solid materials liquid or even vacuum. The EM spectrum ranges from lower energy waves (longer wavelengths) such as radio waves and microwaves to higher energy waves (shorter wavelengths), such as gamma rays and X-rays. Traditional materials such as metals and ceramics were found to be useful as EMI shielding materials. However, low elasticity high density and high absorption loss tend to limit their EMI effectiveness. Recently polymer-based electromagnetic shielding materials have been widely employed as EMI shielding materials. Given the above different EMI shielding materials based on diverse matrix materials are discussed with emphasis on polymer-based composites as emerging and alternative EMI shielding materials. : The development of the electronic industry offers weight reduction as an additional technical requirement besides good EMI shielding performance. EMI shielding ensures the inhibition of the transmission of EM waves from one point to another using shield materials. Metals as conventional EMI shielding materials have been substituted with alternative materials which are lighter such as polymer-based materials and ceramic-based materials.