3D Printed Composite Mesh for EM Shielding Applications

Abstract

The promises of 5G for high-speed internet and complete connectivity, anytime, anywhere and for anyone within a consumer electronics sector, rises concerns for possible signal interference and imposes the need for EM shielding solutions. We present the design and fabrication of a 3D printed hexagonal mesh (13 x 9 x 0.05) cm3 with unit cell maximal diameter 2.7 mm to reduce EM penetration at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The mesh was characterized in an anechoic chamber adapting the MIL-STD-285 standard to vary the mesh-receiver antenna separation distance. The results show that the mesh exhibits a high SEA with a low SER for both frequencies and a total SE of 15 dB for 5 GHz, 23.66% higher than for 2.4 GHz. The closer the mesh to the receiver, the superior the absorption capacity. Attenuation could be explained by the destructive interference associated to the combination of composite filament in a concentric structure.