INTERCONNECTION
Mission-ready connectors
Glenn Piper, director of global product management at WireMasters, says there is no room for failure in defence and military applications.
C
onnectors, essential to the reliability of military and defence equipment, must withstand adverse environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures to space missions, each component must
Extreme conditions, from arctic cold as low as -55°C to desert heat reaching 125°C, demand materials with high thermal stability warping or cracking. These connectors must also endure constant vibration and shock, particularly in environments like aircraft, armoured vehicles, and missile systems,
where any failure could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Furthermore, connectors used in high- altitude or deep-sea environments must function reliably under low-pressure conditions, with levels dropping below 10.1 kPa in high-altitude settings and reaching around 1 MPa in deep-sea depths. Ensuring their electrical properties and material integrity remain intact is critical in these extreme conditions.
Material matters
Material selection is a crucial factor in the performance and longevity of Mil-Spec
to withstand harsh environments. Circular connectors used for military applications must maintain reliability through extreme temperatures, which requires materials that combine thermal stability with strength and light weight.
Aluminium housings, widely used in aerospace and ground vehicle applications, are up to 65 per cent lighter than stainless steel alternatives while still offering corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, stainless steel housings provide up to three times the tensile strength of aluminium, making them ideal for jet engine and armoured vehicle
16 JUNE 2025 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38
