A lightweight, strength and electromagnetic shielding polymer composite structure for infant carrier strollers

Abstract Electromagnetic (EM) shielding is a protection about reducing the EM fields in a space by blocking the waves with barriers including conductive materials. EM shielding has become an important concept in recent years as a result of increased EM environment pollution. Its long‐term effects are still being investigated in terms of public health. Because of gaining more and more importance in daily life, there are a large number of research subjects including not only raw materials but also end‐products in the literature. In this study, EM shielding characteristics and strength analysis of a diverse range of polymer composites were evaluated and compared for use in an infant carrier stroller body. This type of strollers is not only used for carrying infants, but also some parts of them are used as baby car seats which should be light and strength. Since, the strollers are commonly used in public areas which the infant is exposed to EM radiation and it is strongly recommended to protect infants from EM radiation, sample polymer composite plates have been produced and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) measurements in an anechoic chamber were performed. According to EMSE performances of the plates in frequency range of 700 MHz to 3 GHz, two of the nine different (carbon, aramid, hybrid, glass fiber) textiles were selected to be used in two infant carrier prototypes. After production of prototypes, samples from these prototypes were taken, tensile and impact tests were performed to determine if the molded structures were strength and light enough.