Electromagnetic interference shielding and ohmic heating of layered structures of activated carbon fabric and metalized fabric

The aim of present work was to develop absorption-reflection-reabsorption dominant electromagnetic interference shielding materials having the ability of ohmic heating by layering of activated carbon fabrics with metalized fabric. The metalized fabric individually showed relatively higher EMI shielding effectiveness around 27 dB, but poor prolonged heating performance due to burning. On the contrary, the activated carbon fabrics alone depicted relatively lower EMI shielding effectiveness around 23 dB, but robust ohmic heating properties without any burning. Nevertheless, when the activated carbon fabrics were layered with metalized fabrics, the EMI shielding, and joule heating performance of layered structure was found superior to individual fabrics due to enhanced absorption-reflection-reabsorption of the electromagnetic waves within the layered structure. The layered structure of activated carbon fabric and metalized fabric displayed excellent electrothermal characteristics reaching maximum surface temperature of around 71 °C at 5 V in 30 s besides excellent EMI shielding ability of around 32 dB.