Company's lightweight, flexible and durable shielding products can help automakers reduce electromagnetic interference in vehicles

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As automakers continue to develop vehicles with significantly increased use of electronic controls, there is a growing need to ensure that the electrical/electronics architecture is protected against electromagnetic interference (EMI).  Federal-Mogul Corporation (Nasdaq: FDML) is a leader in systems protection products for aerospace applications and has recently developed new EMI shielding products for automotive use.  EMI is the unintentional generation and reception of electromagnetic disturbances traveling through a circuit or wiring harness that can cause computer-controlled systems to power-up, power-down or create a variety of other unwanted effects.  EMI can be blocked using specially designed protective sleeves, thereby preventing the transmission and reception of the disturbance and its negative consequences.

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"Federal-Mogul offers a complete range of electromagnetic shielding solutions that ensure EMI events do not adversely affect the function of device control systems or electronic actuators," said Jan Maiden, engineering and sales vice-president, Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group.  The company currently provides EMI shielding solutions to leading U.S. and European commercial aircraft manufacturers and believes this unique expertise is increasingly needed for  current and future automotive and commercial vehicle uses, considering the increasing use of hybrid and electric propulsion systems.  "The electrical and electronic architectures of vehicles must be properly engineered and that includes proper shielding against EMI," said Maiden.

Federal-Mogul's EMI shielding products feature a specially-designed, braided, tinned, copper wire combined with a proprietary hybrid yarn technology that can be easily installed on existing electrical/electronic architecture used in instrument panels, engine compartments, vehicle interior systems or other electrical and electronic devices.  The sleeving is available in tubular and self-wrapping constructions that can be installed during initial harness assembly or after complete vehicle systems are assembled, in the event that an EMI problem is detected and correction is required.

"EMI shielding performance is a function of metal content and metal coverage – the greater the metal content, the better the low-frequency shielding performance.  However, increased metal content adds weight and doesn't necessarily shield well at higher frequencies.  High-frequency protection occurs when the metal completely covers the wire with a thin conductive layer, meaning there are no pinholes that allow the EMI to leak through."   Federal-Mogul's hybrid yarn technology achieves a balance of low- and high-frequency shielding because the metal strands are twisted together with filler yarns, resulting in a high-strength material.  "When woven or braided into sleeves, the yarns achieve an optimized blend of metal content and coverage that is lightweight, flexible and durable," Maiden said.

Other shielding techniques, such as foil wrapping or full wire mesh over-braiding are also available in the marketplace, but can limit harness flexibility and increase overall weight, according to Maiden.  Federal-Mogul's hybrid polyester and metal wrap solutions offer a nearly 30 percent weight savings over metal overbraids, an approximately 40 percent decrease in bundle diameter and a 55 percent increase in overall flexibility, thus facilitating harness routing inside the vehicle.  

Federal-Mogul EMI shielding products are engineered, designed and tested at the company's Systems Protection technical centers in Exton, Pa., USA and Crepy-en-Valois, France, and are sold under the Federal-Mogul and Bentley Harris brand names.

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul Corporation is a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety technologies, serving the world's foremost original equipment manufacturers of automotive, light commercial, heavy-duty, agricultural, marine, rail, off-road and industrial vehicles, as well as the worldwide aftermarket. The company's leading technology and innovation, lean manufacturing expertise, as well as marketing and distribution deliver world-class products, brands and services with quality excellence at a competitive cost. Federal-Mogul is focused on its sustainable global profitable growth strategy, creating value and satisfaction for its customers, shareholders and employees. Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899.  The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs nearly 39,000 people in 33 countries. Visit the company's Web site at www.federalmogul.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical fact, constitute "Forward-Looking Statements." Actual results may differ materially due to numerous important factors that are described in Federal-Mogul's most recent report to the SEC on Form 10-K, which may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports to the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Such factors include, among others, the cost and timing of implementing restructuring actions, the Company's ability to generate cost savings or manufacturing efficiencies to offset or exceed contractually or competitively required price reductions or price reductions to obtain new business, conditions in the automotive industry, and certain global and regional economic conditions. Federal-Mogul does not intend or assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.  

CONTACT:  Jim Burke 248-354-4530

SOURCE Federal-Mogul Corporation

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