An RFID wallet looks like a normal wallet but has a built-in Faraday cage that blocks an electromagnetic signal. The wallets used for RFIDs are usually made of leather or metal, and some cards are made of metal. You can buy an RFID protected wallet or make one yourself. You’ll need some materials, but luckily, there are many inexpensive and easy-to-make options.
Aluminium foil
RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are becoming increasingly common on consumer products. They’re embedded in credit cards and passports and are also replacing bar codes on consumer products. Fortunately, there are ways to shield your RFID-enabled cards. A hack involving a few sheets of aluminium foil can help protect your valuables and make RFID tracking unnecessary.
First, cut a large piece of aluminium foil in half. Then, fold the strip so that the shorter end is about a centimetre longer than the other. Now, place a credit card in the middle, leaving about 1/3 inch of space on the sides and top. Continue this process until you have created the wallet you want.
Faraday shields
Faraday shields are an effective way to block RFID signals. They are made from thin metal wires that are woven into a soft fabric. These materials absorb the energy from RFID readers and create a shield that protects your wallet. As the RFID reader moves across the RFID purses surface, it creates an external electric field. When it touches the Faraday shield, the electric charges cancel each other out, thus blocking the reader’s signal.
The design of a Faraday shield largely depends on the conductive material. Using a metal that is charged with a positive charge creates a static electric field on the outer face. The shape of the conductive material determines how the charge is spread on the outer surface of the shield.
Mu-metal
Mu-metal RFID wallets are among the most popular wallets on the market. They are made with a metal lining which blocks RFID signals. These linings are not visible to the naked eye and may be made from a variety of metals or aluminium foil. The effectiveness of RFID shielding depends on the permeability of the metal used. Different metals produce different magnetic fields, and some are more effective at blocking RFID than others. The best metal for blocking RFID waves is mu-metal, which is an alloy of copper, iron, molybdenum, and nickel.
Mu-metal is also one of the lightest metals on the market. It is also relatively inert, unlike some metals, which corrode when exposed to moisture. While many other metals contain toxic substances, Mu-metal is completely safe for contact with water and oxygen and is great for protecting the environment.
Mu-metal blocks RFID readers with low-frequency magnetic fields
Mu-metal is a metal alloy that is particularly effective at blocking low-frequency magnetic fields, which are used to detect and track RFID tags. The metals are a mix of iron, nickel, copper, molybdenum, and chromium. This mix has high malleability, making it an ideal material for RFID-blocking shields.
Mu-metal is also a safe material to use as an RFID-blocking shield. It has a low boiling point and is non-corrosive. Unlike other metals, it is safe to contact and environmentally friendly. It’s also cheap and recyclable.
Related: Steps to Build your own RFID Wallet.
