The effect of conductive weft-knitted fabric structure on electromagnetic shielding at 1-12 GHz frequencies

Abstract

In this study, the effect of weft-knitted fabric structure on electromagnetic shielding was investigated at 1-12 GHz frequencies. The weft-knitted fabric was drawn in the Autocad program using 50 µm thick conductive yarn. The three different designs were applied using weft and warp yarn. These are designed in such a way that first the entire structure is conductive, then one loop conductive other loop is not conductive, and the last one, one weft yarn conductor other weft yarn is not a conductor. The designs were measured using the waveguide measurement system in the CST program and the results were compared between each other. The obtained simulation results that conductive weft-knitted fabrics can be used as very effective, lightweight, wearable, flexible microwave shielding materials for clothing, tents, curtain, and related applications at 1-12 GHz frequencies.