Electromagnetic interference (EMI) poses a significant risk to sensitive electronics used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial applications. As systems become more complex and compact, the demand for reliable EMI shielding materials continues to grow.
Conductive silicone is one of the most effective materials for addressing EMI concerns while maintaining environmental sealing and durability. Reiss Manufacturing develops and molds custom silicone rubber compounds for EMI shielding, delivering performance in harsh operating conditions.
Understanding EMI Shielding in Industrial Applications
EMI refers to the disruption caused by electromagnetic fields interfering with the function of electronic equipment. These disturbances can originate from nearby electronic devices, radio frequencies, or internal system components. Without proper shielding, EMI can degrade signal quality, cause data errors, or even lead to total system failure.
Key Industries Requiring EMI Shielding
- Aerospace and defense – Protecting avionics, sensors, and communication systems
- Automotive – Shielding electronics in electric vehicles and driver-assist systems
- Medical devices – Ensuring the safety and accuracy of diagnostic equipment
- Industrial automation – Preventing EMI-related downtime in high-frequency environments
In each case, reliable EMI shielding is essential for product integrity and regulatory compliance.
Why Conductive Silicone Is Ideal for EMI Shielding
Conductive silicone rubber is engineered by adding metal-based or carbon-based fillers to standard silicone. This combination enables the material to block electromagnetic signals while maintaining the flexibility and sealing properties that silicone is known for.
Key Advantages of Conductive Silicone
- Electrical conductivity for effective EMI and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) protection
- Thermal stability across extreme temperatures
- Chemical and UV resistance for outdoor and industrial use
- Flexibility and compressibility for sealing irregular or dynamic joints
- Compatibility with custom molding and die-cutting for a wide range of components
Because conductive silicone serves both as an electrical shield and a gasket, it simplifies part design and enhances performance in sealed enclosures.
Reiss Manufacturing’s Expertise in Silicone Compounding
Reiss Manufacturing formulates its own silicone and fluoroelastomer compounds in-house, giving customers full control over material performance. This vertical integration allows for:
- Customized conductivity levels to meet shielding requirements
- Environmental resistance tuning for chemical, temperature, or UV exposure
- Reliable, repeatable performance in every production batch
Reiss also develops fluoroelastomer (FKM) materials, offering high resistance to fuel, oils, and aggressive chemicals. These materials can be combined with conductive properties when needed.
Tight-Tolerance Molding for EMI Shielding Components
Reiss produces EMI shielding parts with tight dimensional tolerances. Available processes include:
- Compression molding for simple, cost-effective shapes
- Transfer molding for more complex or high-volume parts
- Die-cutting and extrusion for custom gaskets and profiles
This range of manufacturing capabilities allows Reiss to serve multiple industries with part consistency and scalable production.
Industry Applications of Conductive Silicone
Aerospace and Defense
In aviation and military systems, EMI shielding is essential for uninterrupted communication and navigation. Reiss provides shielding components that meet stringent aerospace and MIL-SPEC requirements while withstanding temperature extremes and vibration.
Automotive and EV Systems
Electric vehicles contain high-density electronics that must be protected from both external and internal EMI. Reiss manufactures EMI shielding gaskets and seals commonly used in EV electronics and enclosures, helping meet industry standards for safety and performance.
Medical and Diagnostic Equipment
EMI shielding is critical in medical applications where signal clarity and device accuracy are vital. Conductive silicone components from Reiss are manufactured for consistent performance in diagnostic, imaging, and surgical equipment.
Why Choose Reiss for EMI Shielding Materials
In-House Formulation Capability
Reiss compounds all silicone materials in its own facility, ensuring consistency and enabling rapid development for application-specific requirements.
Made in the USA
Located solely in the U.S.—in Blackstone, VA—Reiss offers domestic manufacturing, faster lead times, and logistics support for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
Proven Quality and Certifications
Reiss Manufacturing operates under ISO 9001:2015 certified systems. Each product is built to meet the strict requirements of regulated industries.
Partner with Reiss for EMI Shielding Solutions
Reiss Manufacturing delivers high-performance silicone materials for EMI shielding, tailored to the needs of aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial OEMs. From formulation to molding, Reiss is equipped to support complex technical applications with precision and reliability. To start a conversation about your EMI shielding needs, contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
It blocks or reduces electromagnetic interference that can disrupt or degrade the performance of electronic systems, helping maintain signal integrity and prevent malfunction.
Silicone offers durability, flexibility, and resistance to heat and chemicals. When filled with conductive materials, it provides both EMI protection and environmental sealing in one solution.
Sectors like aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, and industrial automation rely on conductive silicone to protect critical electronic components from EMI and harsh environments.
The addition of conductive fillers such as silver, nickel, or carbon allows silicone to conduct electricity while retaining its mechanical flexibility and sealing capabilities.
Yes. It performs reliably from approximately -60°F to over 450°F, making it ideal for applications with wide thermal exposure.
Yes. Reiss offers custom compounding and molding for EMI shielding components to meet precise performance, size, and environmental requirements.
It has excellent resistance to chemicals, UV radiation, ozone, and moisture, making it well-suited for outdoor and industrial applications.
Reiss supports compression and transfer-molding to create high-quality EMI shielding parts in a variety of shapes and production volumes.
Yes. All products are manufactured in the U.S. in Blackstone, VA, ensuring quality and reliable delivery.
Contact us today to connect with a Reiss representative for product information, samples, or pricing.