Best-in-class thermoformable conductive inks?

The portfolio includes electrically conductive adhesives, micro-encapsulants, high power sintering pastes, thermally conductive materials, UV-curable adhesives, etc.

Roartis’ portfolio is marketed under the brands IQ-BOND®, IQ-CAST® and IQ-SINTER®.

Recently, a new line of functional inks has been introduced, targeting applications for printing circuitry on flexible substrates including PET, PEN, PC, PVC, TPU, etc. The new range of products, branded IQ-INQ® will be launched during the upcoming Techblick event in Berlin, Germany and covers apart from Ag-based inks also other metal options, as well as dielectric materials.

Where over the past years, many suppliers have emerged for traditional 2D compatible conductive inks compatible with screen, inkjet, gravure or slot die printing, a newer technology in this emerging market is the field of 3D-shaped electronics, and more specifically In-Mold-Electronics (IME). IME is the process of developing and producing embedded circuitry in 3D shaped electronics by means of thermoforming and/or molding processes. This new emerging market of IME and 3D-shaped electronics requires inks, specifically develop to address the technical challenges of this market.

Technical challenges to be addressed by IME-compatible conductive inks include high elongation, thermoformability, adhesion, fine line printability and high conductivity. These properties should enable to print electronic circuitry on a 2D substrate prior to converting it into a functional 3D electronics circuit.

Together with leading research institutes, active in the design and evaluation of printed and in-moldelectronics, Roartis optimized its electrically conductive ink IQ-INQ® 1002, specifically targeting best-in-class thermoformability, combined with good conductivity and fine line printability.

IQ-INQ® 1002 was evaluated in comparison to 5 leading competitive “thermoformable” conductive inks, with regards performance of electrical resistivity versus elongation, printability, and adhesion.
On various substrates, including PVC, PC, PET, PA, TPU it was shown to provide low resistivity with highest elongation (> 50%) and excellent adhesion.

Conductive tracks of 60 µm, with equally 60 µm were successfully printed, resulting in intensely thermoformed 3D shapes, with good electrical functionality.

The selected chemistry is suitable for screen printing on most high speed industrial screen printing equipment, and will cure at temperatures as low as 80°C.

For further information, please contact info@roartis.com, or contact us via our website www.roartis.com .

Join us at TechBlick’s Future of Electronics RESHAPED conference & tradeshow in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023 – www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped