Micro Coaxial Cable factory

The Difference Between Semi-Flexible and Semi-Rigid Coaxial Cables

1. Structural and Material Differences
   Semi-Rigid Coaxial Cables
   ‌Outer Conductor‌: Constructed from a seamless metal tube (typically copper or aluminum), providing exceptional mechanical stability.
   ‌Dielectric‌: Uses solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyethylene foam for stable electrical performance.
   ‌Permanence‌: Once shaped during installation, they cannot be rebent without specialized tools.
   ‌Shielding‌: Offers near-100% electromagnetic shielding due to the continuous metal outer layer.
   Semi-Flexible Coaxial Cables
   ‌Outer Conductor‌: Employs a corrugated metal tube (often copper or stainless steel) or spiral-wound metal tape, allowing limited bending.
   ‌Dielectric‌: Utilizes gas-injected foam dielectric or flexible PTFE for improved pliability.
   ‌Reconfigurability‌: Can be manually adjusted up to 10-20 times while maintaining performance.
   ‌Shielding Effectiveness‌: Typically 90-95% due to slight gaps in the corrugated structure.
2. Performance Comparison
   Parameter Semi-Rigid Cable Semi-Flexible Cable
   Frequency Range DC to 110 GHz DC to 40 GHz
   VSWR (Typical) <1.25:1 <1.35:1
   Bend Radius (Minimum) 10× cable diameter (permanent) 3× cable diameter (temporary)
   Temperature Range -55°C to +200°C -40°C to +125°C
   Power Handling Higher (up to 500W avg) Moderate (up to 200W avg)
3. Applications
   Semi-Rigid Cables Excel In:
   Aerospace and defense systems (radar, avionics)
   Permanent base station installations
   High-vibration environments
   Quantum computing cryogenic setups
   Semi-Flexible Cables Are Preferred For:
   Test and measurement equipment
   Medical imaging devices
   Field-deployable military systems
   Prototyping and R&D laboratories
4. Installation Considerations
   Semi-rigid cables require precise CNC bending tools and expert installation but deliver unparalleled phase stability (±0.1°/m typical). Semi-flexible versions allow field adjustments but may exhibit ±2°/m phase variation after repeated bending. Cost differences are notable: semi-rigid cables cost 30-50% more than their semi-flexible counterparts due to complex manufacturing processes.
5. Emerging Hybrid Solutions
   Recent advancements include “formable” cables combining silver-plated copper outer conductors with shape-memory polymers. These hybrids maintain 85% of semi-rigid performance while allowing up to 100 reconfigurations, bridging the gap between both technologies.