The core or base of AmberStrand® is high-strength, high-modulus Zylon® fiber, which affords increased mechanical flexibility, durability and strength combined with significantly lower weight when compared with metal wires. Zylon® is a thermoset liquid crystalline polyoxazole manufactured by the Toyobo Corporation. Zylon® has excellent performance in such properties as creep, chemical resistance, cut/abrasion resistance, and high temperature abrasion resistance, which far exceed all other fibers. It is 5 times stronger than carbon fiber; 7 times stronger than steel and twice as strong as Kevlar. (Toyobo Corp. sit)  By adding a metal coating, unique engineering properties of the AmberStrand® fiber will promote numerous applications.  These attributes create opportunities in many conductive applications.

AmberStrand® provides a flexibility of use since the electrical resistance of the product can be engineered to fit the particular conduction, shielding or thermal applications required in different markets. The fiber comes in three different sizes – 66, 166 and 332 filaments – providing additional application options for the customer. Syscom’s technology results in excellent metal adhesion to the core fiber, ensuring superior functionality. There are no toxic combustion components contained in the product. Since AmberStrand® fiber is compatible with existing fabrication processes and equipment; no investment in additional equipment is required.

In summary, AmberStrand® fiber can be used as a shielding braid, as a bare wire, or can be coated with an insulation material and has advantages over conventional conductive metal wires in flexibility, weight savings, mechanical strength, durability and tailored electrical conductivity.  The properties of AmberStrand® fiber result in soft textile-like shields with more uniform electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance at a reduced weight. (GlenAir ) Further, AmberStrand® fiber can be terminated just like a regular metal with the choice of soldering or band connector.
AmberStrand® fiber have a solid history of performance in the aerospace & defense industry reducing weight, meeting and exceeding performance requirements, and eliminating problems within the aerospace sector.  They have reduced the operating cost of commercial planes, military aircraft, and missile guidance wires.
 

AmberStrand® fiber comes in three different sizes – 66, 166 and 332 filaments and is available in copper, nickel and silver metal cladding.  Its base is high-strength, high-modulus Zylon® fiber, which is 5 times stronger than carbon fiber, and 7 times stronger than Kevlar.   The available resistances can be as low .3 Ω/ft for a single tow of yarn.

AmberStrand® fiber was tested to be 81.6% lighter than equivalent beryllium copper wire.  The shielding effectiveness is comparable to beryllium copper wire at all tested frequencies.  The properties of AmberStrand® fiber result in soft textile-like shields with more uniform electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance at a reduced weight.