also see: Connections >> Solderability Tests
There are a range of different conductive fabrics available. Some of the most frequently used conductive fabrics, tend to be the most available.
LessEMF is a retail company that stocks a great range of conductive fabrics for electro magnetic field shielding. It seems like some of their fabrics are manufactured by Shieldex, but LessEMF renames the fabrics for their own sales and so it is unclear which ones are really the same. I’ve tried to match a few up through comparison:
Shieldex: MedTex E 130 DS = LessEMF: Stretch conductive fabric
Shieldex: Armor RTF = LessEMF: Zelt Conductive Fabric
Shieldex
>> http://www.shieldextrading.net (USA, DE)
Balingen
1 x 20 cm = 4 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 7 Ohm
Highly conductive, nice and
MedTex E 130 DS
1 x 20 cm = 13 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 23 Ohm
Super similar, if not the same as LessEMF’s Stretch Conductive Fabric. Highly conductive and resistance halves itself when stretched fully.
MedTex P 180 OS
From the small sample I have it looks like a nice stretch conductive fabric to work with. Similar to LessEMF’s Stretch Conductive Fabric. Resistance also halves itself when stretched fully.
LessEmf
All of the fabrics that LessEMF has to offer are very interesting, but some of them find more use than others in many of our projects.
Our favorites are their Stretch, FlecTron N and CobalTex conductive fabrics.
>> http://lessemf.com/fabric.html (USA)
Stretch Conductive Fabric
1 x 20 cm = 13 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 23 Ohm
Silver plated, high conductivity, stretches in both directions.
Zelt Conductive Fabric
1 x 20 cm = 0.4 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 0.6 Ohm
Tin/copper coated.
CobalTex
1 x 20 cm = 5.2 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 12.4 Ohm
Cobalt alloy top coating, highly conductive. Looks and feels just like FlecTron N. Solderable!
ShieldIt Super
1 x 20 cm = 0.3 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 0.6 Ohm
Nickle and copper coated, comes with a non-conductive hot melt adhesive on one side, not as flexible and soft as other conductive fabrics but very conductive and great for making circuits that don’t need to be soft, but merely flexible. Nickle may cause skin irritation.
FlecTron
1 x 20 cm = 1.5 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 2.5 Ohm
Copper plated, high conductivity, but not suitable for wearable applications since the material will tarnish with exposure to liquids and skin oils. Solderable!
FlecTron N
1 x 20 cm = 5.2 Ohm
0.5 x 20 cm = 12.4 Ohm
Nickel/copper plated, high conductivity and more resistant than FlecTron to skin oils, but nickel might cause skin irritation. Solderable!
Soft and Safe Shielding Fabric NEW
“The Perfect Garment Shield”
Silverized, highly conductive, nice and soft, hard to tell it is conductive, but it is!
Pure Copper Polyester Taffeta Fabric NEW
Alternative to FlecTron!
Have not tried this yet.
Plug and Wear
This Italian textile company is knitting conductive textiles from thin metal wires, including them in three layer knitted textiles to create switches. And also including resistive yarns to knit pressure pressure sensors.
Plug and Wear now also stock a range of the LessEMF conductive fabrics!
>> http://www.plugandwear.com/ (Italy)
Sparkfun
Sparkfun now also sells small amounts of two different kinds of conductive fabric, that are most likely from Shieldex, but it is unclear exactly which ones these are.
Sparkfun Conductive Fabric (MedTex180)
Stretchy in one direction. Less than 1 ohm/10cm2 resistance. One side is very shiny and the other is not.
See stretch conductive fabric comparison post for more detail.
Heathcoat
Include stripes of conductive thread in their knit fabrics.
>> http://www.heathcoat.co.uk/ (UK)
Toray
Integrate X-Static fibers in their woven fabrics, running like needle-stripes.
Toray – Innovation by Chemistry >> http://www.seeitsafe.co.uk/ (UK)
Copper Wire Mesh
A woven copper wire mesh that is fine enough to feel soft, but stiff enough to be bend into shape and is ideal for soldering to.
Copper Fabric with Conductive Adhesive
I don’t know the origins of the following fabric. It is a dark shade of copper, riptop fabric that comes with peel-off adhesive on the back, it is highly conductive and reminds of FlecTron.
Suppliers
>> Hebei Metals & Minerals Corp. Ltd http://www.3ltex.com (China)
>> http://www.plugandwear.com/ (Italy)
>> http://www.lessemf.com/fabric.html (New Jersey, USA)
>> http://eeonyx.com/ (USA)
>> http://www.marktek-inc.com/ (USA) + They also sell EeonTex Conductive Textiles manufactured by Eeonyx
>> http://www.fine-silver-productsnet.com (USA)
>> http://www.seeitsafe.co.uk/ (UK)
>> http://www.heathcoat.co.uk/ (UK)
>> http://www.lairdtech.com
>> http://www.osnf.com/ (USA)
>> http://www.mutr.co.uk/index.php?cPath=6_572 (UK)
>> http://www.3ltex.com/ (China)
>> http://www.sparkfun.com/ (USA)
Is it possible for someone to send me some ideas
for visual arts projects for students 12-18
involving cool neon on clothing, and maybe
simple clothing such as vest?
thank you,
Lynne
Where can I buy any of the highly conductive and solderable or a phone # for pricing.
thnx John Dallara
[...] Conductive Fabric By juliaschreiber Eine gute Übersicht über conductive fabric und eine Liste mit Zulieferern im Vergleich findet sich bei Kobakant [...]
Am interested in the plug and wear fabrics…is anyone going to place an order that I can share and try some? Does this factory sell small quantities? In addition, where is a basic “how to” for stitching in lights or the conductive yarns to textiles?
you can order directly from their website: http://www.plugandwear.com/
they sell in very conveniently small quantities!
basic how-to for LEDs in textiles by Leah Buechley can be found here: http://thehighlowtech.com/diy/diy_tank.html
I am interested in a conductible material that can laminate to another material like a sandwich. It needs to conduct things as we have a request for a taser dart that can be tested against a material to make sure it conducts. We need it as a minimum of 150cm wide. I have a sample of shiny silver aluminium conductible foil that we have which does the job we need it to do. It has a sticky back and this can be laminated but it only comes in strips 7.3cm wide which is no good to us and is about 1 – 2mm thick. Do you have anything like this? We don’t mind that it isn’t raised but we need it to have aluminium in to conduct the taser.
[...] out the information collected by Kobakant This entry was posted in Basics. Bookmark the permalink. ← Cory [...]
[...] +info [...]
from China,
call me share,
I can provide EN 1149 anti static fabric,conductive fabric
I am looking for conductive fabric to place on the body. I prefer copper in the fabric and am looking for a bolt of this fabric. Suzanne
LessEMF will sell you rolls of fabric. Make sure the copper fabric you choose does not tarnish with skin oils. Because it will loose conductivity otherwise, especially if you plan to wear it and touch it.
I’m looking for some conductive fabric that I can make bed sheets from. Any suggestions?
the Soft and Safe Shielding Fabric from lessEMF is nice and soft and does not feel like most other conductive fabrics.
I’m making LED necklaces and am looking for conductive fabric that’s very soft and pretty. I wish to have it tie like a ribbon, and when the two strips are tied into the bow, the circuit is completed and the LED turns on. Which fabric do you think would be best for this? Thanks!
could you tell me wher I can find your copper wire mesh in India;
thank you
Mr Ducot
is there a place in the san francisco bay area to purchase conductive materials?
wondering if anyone knows of retailers for conductive fabrics in Canada
Does anyone know if any fabric, knitted or woven, with metallic yarns provide conductive characteristics as those in the MedTex 130/180? Or is there a special material within the MedTex 130/180 that makes them specifically more conductive? Thx.
I’m looking for some conductive fabric for building an rfid antenna on a t-shirt. As FlecTron and Pure Copper Polyester Taffeta Fabric are not safe to add on a wearable objects, do you have any advice on other equivalent materials?
[...] [...]
Hello Sr.
Im interested in conductive fabric to produce bed sheets and bands, for therapiotic purposes, which means; the person will lie on it as the sheet will be connected to the ground electrode. It must come in direct touch with the skin,it must be soft enough not to cause any skin damage.
Could you please find this material with minimum resistance.
Thanks
Sami Grayeb
I am interested in fabric for contact with human skin – durable, flexible and comfortable to touch with bare skin – do you have access to samples and where might I view in person. Thanks.
I am interested in fabric for contact with human skin – durable, flexible and comfortable to touch with bare skin – do you have any access to get samples or may bee purches this fabric
thanks
What material would be suitable for connecting small magnets embedded into a material that will get body oils on it and may also get wet. The idea is to create a magnetic field by connecting the magnets in a pliable fabric. Thank you any info/suggestions would be great.
Hi there
What conductive cloth can I use for heated
Clothing?
Can you tell me about the thermal conductivity of your metal cloths? I am thinking of a heat sink to disperse heat from a “hot spot” in clothing. Thank you.
Hello.
One application of this is in the production of “Taser-proof” clothing.
The conductive cloth is the final layer of a bullet resistant garment or can be integrated into existing clothing.
Such clothing is already on the market.
[...] Conductive Fabrics >> http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=376 [...]
Hello,
Which of these conductive fabrics would you recommend for a fabric bend sensor? I’m trying to create something wearable that will pick up small deflections (about a fraction of a centimeter). Any tips?
A quick reply would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hello,
Anyone looking for these materials in India can kindly contact us.
We would be more than happy to provide you these fabrics.
Also if you require we can supply yo other regions as well.
We are placed out of New Delhi with out headquarters and warehouse in Belgium.
Contact ID- laxmansinghdeora@smeetsindia.com
Phone- 919911578782
Thanks.
Hello,
does anyone know a magnetic fabric?
Thanks
Although we tend to think of them as making mostly resistive fabrics, some of Eeonyx
textiles are very conductive – enough to make heaters from them and I also
used their felt to make circuit connections.
Magnetic Ferrofabric by Jenny Leary >> http://www.ferrofabric.com/
[...] Here are some sources for the fabric; Conductive Fabric – Remnant MedTex180 – SparkFun Electronics HOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANT Shieldex Trading __________________ Regards, [...]
Im A textile weaver and knitter and would love to be able to buy a fibre to use in those occupations that conducted energy/body heat to light up the fibre; so someone could wear a garment and it would light up as they moved..Would be wild if it was flourescent or similar..does this fibre exist or can you make it?
I have bought ElectroLycra from a british supplier here:
http://www.mindsetsonline.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1009614
I have measured 3 to 4 ohms for a 10 cm distance. It stretches much on one axis, less on the other.
Hi
I have just bought a horse rugs with conductive fabric on to stop my horse barging through electric fencing… can you tell me which fabric would best suit as I need to add more to rug can anyone help pls mail me .. Thanks
I am interested in the heathcoat conductive stripe fabric. I contacted the company but I really never got much of a response. Anybody know of a supplier in the US or how to contact them to see what they can offer?
Thanks
I am interested in samples of conductive material to line purses and wallets. Would be purchasing in the near future. If samples can be purchased please e-mail me the information as soon as possible.
Thank you
I second the question regarding samples. Thx.
[...] elements with conductive textiles to create tilt sensitive designs. A bracelet decorated with six conductive fabric petals and a row of beads with a metal bead on the end, makes for a simple six point tilt [...]
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on solar panels for
sale. Regards
im looking for esd fabric and vinyl for upholstering chairs need many rolls at a time.
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
I AM LOOKING FOR A FABRIC(WHICH i HAVE A BLOUSE OF THIS FABRIC)IT IS 69% NYLON AND 39% METAL. i WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER SHIRT.THE METAL IS A BRIGHT SILVER WITH BLACK. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.