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The D-subminiature is one of the most recognisable connectors in the world. With over 60 years of service, the humble D-sub connector has found uses in almost every sector of industry. Offering a combination of slim profile and high pin count, it should come as no surprise that the military industry was ready to embrace the D-sub as an alternative to larger, heavier connectors.

D Connector

The 60s were a time of rapid development in the fields of aerospace and defence as the world was in the grip of the Cold War. In addition, the promise of space exploration provided a huge boost to innovation in supremely challenging environments. There was a real need for change.

New Solutions for Aerospace

For many years, military connectors had been circular, from Cannon’s AF connector to the latest generation of military specification connectors. Circular connectors are robust and provide good protection from the environment. However, circular connectors are bulky, and not always suitable for the new generation of electronic systems that were coming into service in the 1960s. The D-subminiature connector has been providing excellent reliability since then and has logged over 50 years of high-performance flight time.

The features that made the D-Subminiature connector so useful in the 60s are relevant today. Modern designers still value the low profile and high pin count of D-sub connectors, as they offer a real alternative to bulky circular connectors. With current ratings of up to 7.5 Amps per pin, D-sub connectors also provide superior power density that rivals more modern designs. But in order to be adopted into military service, the D-subminiature needed to be held to the same standards as the connectors designed specifically for the purpose.

There are military specifications for all parts, components and systems that are intended for use in defence equipment. A military specification describes all aspects of the product, from physical design and materials to testing and performance. The military specification provides a kind of shorthand, allowing the engineer to be sure that a product selected will perform well in harsh environments, and makes it easier for the military to adopt components.

The military document that describes the D-subminiature connector is MIL-DTL-24308, often shortened to M24308. The specification describes not only the physical dimensions of the connector but also the materials that are to be used in its construction. Materials are of particular importance to connectors, as they are often mounted in locations that are exposed to extreme temperatures and harsh environments.

The bodies of circular military connectors are usually machined from aluminium alloys. These provide the connector with good mechanical strength and electrical shielding, but aluminium is vulnerable to corrosion from exposure to water, especially saltwater. In order to provide a connector that can resist damage, the shell can either be plated to provide protection against the elements or replaced with one manufactured from an alternative metal that is not so susceptible to corrosion.

In contrast, the shells of D-subminiature connectors are not machined. Rather, they are pressed from sheet steel, a process that provides a strong shell, with the added advantage that the process is quicker than machining. However, just as aluminium is susceptible to corrosion, so is steel. The oxidisation of steel is familiar to us all in the form of rust.

Therefore, it is necessary to protect steel from the elements in the same way we would protect aluminium. Standard plating materials for steel include tin, zinc chromate or even cadmium, all of which offer differing levels of protection. It is always important to remember that plating is vulnerable to damage from frequent use, and some of the materials that are commonly used are toxic and harmful to the environment.

Alternative Materials

There is an alternative, however. Stainless steel is a relatively new alloy, being a little over 100 years old. Despite its relatively recent invention, its mechanical, chemical and thermal properties have made stainless steel one of the most useful materials in the world. It is strong, resistant to corrosion, and does not need plating to protect it from damage during everyday use.

Even though stainless steel is naturally resistant to corrosion, its properties can still be improved further by the process of passivation. This is not plating, but rather a chemical process in which an acid is used to form a chromium oxide layer over the base material. This layer reduces the iron content at the surface, which discourages the formation of rust. This oxidisation process continues once in use and serves to heal any scratches on the surface that penetrate through to the base material.

In addition to the mechanical and chemical properties of stainless steel, it is also electrically conductive, making it extremely useful when constructing the shells of connectors. By making the outer shell from a conductive material, the connector is shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI), sometimes known as radio frequency interference (RFI). This shielding protects the integrity of the electrical signals that are being transmitted through the connector and prevents harmful radiation from damaging sensitive electronic equipment.

The D-Sub connector may be a bit long in the tooth. There are certainly plenty of other choices available to designers, but there is a reason that the D-Sub has remained in constant production for over 6 decades. With the addition of advanced materials such as stainless steel, these are connectors that refuse to be dismissed.

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Connector Geek is Dave in real life. After three decades in the industry, Dave still likes talking about connectors almost as much as being a Dad to his two kids. He still loves Lego too. And guitars.
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