What is silicone zebra connector and how they made?

Zebra connector is also known as Zebra strips or Elastomeric Connectors. It consists of alternating conductive(black color) and non-conductive(white color) silicone layers. They are commonly used as a connection bridge between the LCD module(ITO coated glass) and PCB(circuit board). Silicone zebra connector is reliable and stable that is widely applied to phone screens, car control screens, industrial device screens, instrument panels, and so on. Considering the cost efficiency, they are also applied to replace the FPC（Flexible Printed Circuit）and mechanical connector. Of course, this is not the only reason to take advantage of.
 

Few people know that elastomeric connectors appear in various forms. Although the functional principles are the same, they are divided into several types according to the design structure for particular matching to the devices.

GSI type zebra connector is one of the basic elastomeric connectors consisting of alternate layers of conductive and insulating silicone rubber. This is the type with the simplest combination without any barrier covered on both sides which makes it able to connect in four directions. The hardness is also the highest at 65°. Due to its lacking a certain amount of flexibility and softness, the compression ratio is recommended under 8~11%. This type of zebra strips is suitable for plastic-made LCM bezels.
〈Product details〉GSI Type

GSI2 type zebra connector is created on the basement of GSI type. The only thing that makes them different is GSI2 type has a white painting on both sides to create the shielding. The hardness is 65° with a compression ratio recommended under 8~11%. This type of zebra strips is suitable for small-sized LCD displays such as digital watches or calculator screens.
〈Product details〉GSI2 Type

GSS Type zebra connector consists of alternate layers of conductive and insulating silicone rubber covered by insulators of soft and solid silicone rubber on both sides. Making it looks like a sandwich wafer. The hardness of the supportive insulators layer is 25-30° with color in transparent or customized. Due to its softness on the supportive insulator layer, the compression ratio is recommended under 10~15%. This type of zebra strips is suitable for middle-sized LCD displays with the metal-made LCM bezels.
〈Product details〉GSS Type

It is similar to the GSS type, GSG Type zebra connector has the same combination of alternate layers of conductive and insulating in the middle but is covered by the sponge foamed silicone rubber barrier. The hardness of the supportive insulators layer is 25-30° with color mostly pink or customized. The compression ratio is recommended under 10~15%. This type of zebra strips has a lighter weight and is smooth on the surface which makes it easier to assemble.
〈Product details〉GSG Type

This type of zebra connector can be produced or cut in any shape or form which is tailor-made according to the customer’s design. The production procedure is also flexible like hot press or injection even over-molded. The challenge and technique requirements are also high to make it feasible.
〈Product details〉Customized Type

The production process of silicone zebra connect can be complicated. Any tiny error in one production section is fair enough to ruin the entire batch of products, and the purity of raw materials will also affect the overall quality. Moreover, Designing a proper dimension of zebra strips to fit the corresponding device can be a long process to try error. They are more relay on the profound experience of manufacture like GSUN, who was built up the business started from the zebra connectors field. Until now, GSUN is one of the few manufacturers in the world that are capable of producing zebra connectors from scratch. With more than 30 years of experience, it has helped many customers to enhance product design and solve functional problems.