Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
Conductive Coating vs EMI Shielding Coating
Conductive Coating and EMI Shielding Coating are both coatings for plastics finishes; eMI coating resists corrosion better.
Conductive Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$$ · instant quote
Conductive coating is a metal-, carbon-, or graphite-filled binder that gives a nonconductive surface controlled electrical conductivity.
EMI Shielding Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$$$ · instant quote
EMI shielding coating is a conductive metal-filled paint applied mainly to the inside of nonconductive enclosures.
When to choose which
Choose Conductive coat
Choose Conductive coat when conductivity is needed without a defined EMI enclosure function.
- Adds electrical function to polymer and composite surfaces
- Supports grounding, static dissipation, sensors, and prototype traces
- Can be applied selectively with masking
Choose EMI coating
Choose EMI coating when the requirement is assembled enclosure shielding.
- Converts polymer housings into conductive shielding surfaces
- Typical v1 film is 15–30 µm
- Spray reaches complex interior enclosure geometry
What the numbers say
- EMI coating resists corrosion better.
- Conductive coat is the lower-cost option ($$$).
- EMI coating is the thinner coating (15–30 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Conductive coat | EMI coating |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 15 Low | 20 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 20 Low | 25 Low |
| Lubricity | 15 Low | 15 Low |
| Cost | 60 $$$ | 65 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Conductive coat | EMI coating |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 15–50 µm | 15–30 µm |
| Electrical | Conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | silver, copper, black, gray | silver, copper, gray |
| Relative cost | Premium ($$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 3–8 working days | 4–8 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Conductive coat | EMI coating |
|---|---|---|
| Polymer | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Composite | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| FDM | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| MJF | With care | With care |
| SLA | With care | With care |
| SLS | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Stainless Steel | Limited | Limited |
| Steel | Limited | Limited |
| Titanium | Limited | Limited |
Conductive coat vs EMI coating — frequently asked
What is the difference between Conductive coat and EMI coating?
Conductive Coating and EMI Shielding Coating are both coatings for plastics finishes; eMI coating resists corrosion better. Conductive coat is the lower-cost option ($$$). EMI coating is the thinner coating (15–30 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Conductive coat instead of EMI coating?
Choose Conductive coat when conductivity is needed without a defined EMI enclosure function. Conversely: choose EMI coating when the requirement is assembled enclosure shielding.
Is Conductive coat or EMI coating cheaper?
Conductive coat is the lower-cost finish ($$$ against $$$$ for EMI coating) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.