Low Cost Durable EMI Screen for Aircraft Infrared Sensors

Existing screen technology for protecting sensors in aircrafts from electromagnetic interference (EMI) is prone to damage caused by rain erosion and environmental loads during flight. Surmet Corporation proposes to develop a durable screen, which will notonly provide shielding from electro-magnetic interference (EMI) but will also resist erosion damage and be cost effective. The screen, fabricated from a solid sheet of stainless steel, will be rendered erosion resistant by the use of Surmet's innovativehard carbon coatings, viz. UltraCTM and Surmet Black BeautyTM. These high performance extremely hard coatings with very low co-efficient of friction, exhibit excellent wear resistance under many varied environmental loads. In addition, they areattractively dark black in color to provide aesthetic match with the color of the most of the fighter aircraft. Phase I work will involve the fabrication of EMI screen followed by deposition of Surmet's hard carbon coating. These coated screens will betested for coating adhesion, impact resistance, environmental durability, mechanical strength and electrical properties. Fabrication of 4 screens (4 x 4