Glossary: Conductive Ink

Post by Vicky Liu, Updated on May 30^th,2024

Conductive Ink: Ink that conducts electricity, typically containing materials like silver, carbon, or copper.

How is it used in force sensing resistor?

• Printing Conductive Layers: Conductive ink is used to print the conductive layers of the FSR.
• These layers typically consist of interdigitated electrode patterns that are essential for measuring resistance changes when force is applied.

What are the differences between different kinds of conductive ink, such as silver, carbon, and copper?

Silver Conductive Ink

• Conductivity:High electrical conductivity, making it suitable for high-performance applications.
• Cost:Relatively expensive due to the high cost of silver.
• Durability:Excellent durability and corrosion resistance.
• Applications:Used in RFID antennas, solar panels, touch screens, and high-frequency circuits.
• Processing:Typically requires curing at moderate temperatures.

Carbon Conductive Ink

• Conductivity:Lower electrical conductivity compared to silver and copper, but sufficient for many applications.
• Cost:Inexpensive, making it a cost-effective option for many applications.
• Durability:Good mechanical flexibility and durability, resistant to wear and tear.
• Applications:Used in resistive touch screens, printed heaters, pressure sensors, and EMI shielding.
• Processing:Can be processed at room temperature or with low-temperature curing.

Copper Conductive Ink

• Conductivity:High electrical conductivity, second only to silver.
• Cost:Less expensive than silver, making it a more affordable option for high-performance applications.
• Durability:Good conductivity but prone to oxidation, which can affect performance.
• Applications:Used in printed circuit boards (PCBs), flexible electronics, and antenna applications.
• Processing:Requires careful processing to prevent oxidation, often needs protective coatings or inert atmosphere curing.

Summary

• Conductivity: Silver > Copper > Carbon
• Cost: Carbon < Copper < Silver
• Durability: Silver (best corrosion resistance) > Carbon (flexible and durable) > Copper (prone to oxidation)

Applications:

• Silver: High-frequency, high-performance circuits, solar cells, RFID.
• Carbon: Cost-sensitive applications, flexible and wearable electronics.
• Copper: PCBs, flexible electronics, antennas, cost-effective high-conductivity applications.
• Processing: Silver and copper typically require curing at higher temperatures compared to carbon, which can often be processed at lower temperatures or room temperature.

Each type of conductive ink has its unique advantages and is chosen based on the specific requirements of the application, balancing factors like cost, conductivity, and durability.   

Ceradex offers custom Force Sensing Resisotor for your solution. Feel free to contact us for discussion and get your project started!!