When an electromagnetic wave encounters a shielding material, the metal fiber or yarn absorbs the electromagnetic energy and converts it into heat. This process is called absorption. The absorption efficiency of a shielding material is related to its thickness; the greater the thickness, the higher the absorption efficiency.
Shielding materials can also reduce the propagation of electromagnetic waves by reflecting them. When an electromagnetic wave encounters a shielding material, some of the energy will be reflected back, and the remaining energy will be absorbed. The reflective efficiency of a shielding material is related to its structure and composition, and is affected by wavelength and frequency.
Shielding materials made from a mixture of metal powders typically have a lower shielding efficiency because electromagnetic waves can travel through the gaps between the metal powders. However, shielding materials made from blends of metal powders still provide some shielding effectiveness, and are less expensive and more flexible to process.
Shielding materials have a wide range of applications, and can be used for shielding covers for electronic equipment, cable shielding sleeves, shielding layers, laboratory partitions, and medical device shielding.