A really dumb really cheap RF/EMI shielding solution

[ChristofferB]

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I just have to share this with someone, it actually works rather well! cutting an A3 piece of aluminum foil, folding it in half and laminating it.

The edges are then cut off, and the two layers split apart, giving two sheets of 'aluminized' plastic that's conductive on one side. it can be folded, cut, have holes punched in for bolts and ground lugs.

I don't think shielding gets cheaper. It could get a lot better though. Maybe someone will find this useful. Would be even better with thin copper foil, which could be soldered to.

[drew23]

I use copper shim for shielding and making large copper parts using PVC pipe as a base. Aluminium shim, used to keep white ants out, can be used as well. Drew VK4ZXI

[james_s]

Hmm I'll keep that one in mind.

Has anyone compared the effectiveness of copper vs aluminum? Aluminum foil is certainly much cheaper and easier to get than copper foil.

[T3sl4co1l]

Aluminum foil is thinner than 1oz copper foil (PCB stock, say), and higher resistivity besides, so it will only be effective down to higher frequencies.  This doesn't matter much for, say, VHF+.

I wish McMaster had tin plated steel, I'd get a 24x24 sheet of that.  Otherwise, there's just the little craft squares at the hardware store, overpriced.  It's easy to solder, easy to form, strong for its thickness, and somewhat effective magnetic shielding down to DC, as well as to lower AC frequency than a comparable piece of aluminum (because skin effect).

Tim