Hook and loop has been around for decades, but that doesn't mean its various applications and designs aren't always expanding. Today, there are even hook and loop fasteners that will conduct electricity. This is managed by spray coating the hook and loop with liquid silver. Silver is used because it has the highest electrical conductivity and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal.
What Is Electrical Conductivity?
Electrical conductivity measures an object’s ability to accommodate the transport of an electric charge. Essentially, how well electricity can pass through an object without losing too much of its energy.
What Is It Used For?
Electrically conductive hook and loop is used in all sorts of projects regarding radio frequency or electromagnetic interference including electromagnetic shielding. Electromagnetic shielding is the practice of reducing the electromagnetic field in a space by blocking the field with barriers made of conductive or magnetic materials. It is also used in products that need to conduct electricity as a conductive filler to reduce loss in charge as the electricity passes through the device.
What Does That Mean?
Essentially, it can help protect equipment or people from high-intensity electromagnetic fields, like being used in grounding straps. It can also prevent the escape of signals from secure facilities. This makes it especially useful in the military, government buildings, hospitals, and private or classified organizations.
This product is also used in anti-static and clean room environments when working with electrical components to prevent static discharge.
How Conductive Is This Hook and Loop?
The resistivity of the silver impregnated electrically conductive hook and loop has a maximum of 1.8 ohms per square inch on the hook, and 1.4 ohms per square inch on the loop. The closure combines for 0.8 ohms through resistance and has a cycle life of around 5,000 closures.
Because the conductive hook and loop is sprayed with the silver coating when it is manufactured, the price is actually dependent on the price of silver at that time.
