Al-TransTM Zinc Chromate Replacement Grounding Strips
High Frequency Grounding: Conductivity, 50% better than zinc
Thickness: 100 to 1000 microns
Corrosion Resistance: >5000 hrs salt spray ASTM B117 Metallurgical Bond, Strong adhesion
Field Repairable: Self-healing abrasion resistance
High Frequency Grounding
Grounding of electronic equipment can provide a challenge to engineers trying to protect the low voltage high frequency signals used in modern computer based products. The common method used in equipment racks and enclosures is to plate the exposed surfaces with zinc and to protect the zinc with a chromate conversion coating. This method was adequate for lower frequencies where most of the current was carried in the base metal of the rack, but at high frequencies serious limitations begin to show up.
The problem is that zinc is not a very good conductor and if it loses its protective chromate coating its surface properties deteriorate rapidly. High frequency signals travel on the surface of a conductor. At ten megahertz the signal is confined to a surface depth of 25 microns (.001”). At one gigahertz the signal is confined to a surface depth of 2.5 microns (.0001”). The AC impedance of zinc is 50% higher than aluminum, the majority component in Al-TransTM. At these low surface depths, significant ground loops can develop over a relatively short distance.
Using the Kinetic MetallizationTM (KM) process, Inovati can provide a corrosive resistant aluminum grounding surface on steel equipment racks and enclosures. This surface provides a low resistance for these high frequency signals resulting in a very good grounding path.
The KM process has additional benefits. Its cost is low because it is a single step process that does not use any chemicals. It is environmentally safe and requires no hazardous waste material handling so it can be set up at any stage of the production process. It provides a true metallurgical bond between the metals so it avoids the problem of chips flaking off as found with zinc. The Al-TransTM formula is a reactive anodic metal relative to steel so even scratches fill automatically avoiding rust in the base steel. It can also be repaired with a portable spray gun so even heavy scratches are not a problem.
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