Electro conductive paint, copper and graphite based

Electroconductive paint

Paints To Make Isolated Materials Electrically Conductive

 The electroconductive paint is a surface treatment that allows different surfaces and materials that are non-conductive to become conductive. These two products developed by Cromas Paints fall into two categories

  • Paint with a High Electronductive Level (low resistance), made from pure Copper
  • Paint with a Low Electroconductive Level (high resistance), made from Graphite

These products have very different characteristics which we will describe in detail below. Both of these products are were developed for professional use and comply with RoHS standards.

Electroconductive Paint with a Copper Base SV388 ZERO-OHM

This paint creates a real electroconductive surface that allows the treated surface to have the maximum conductivity possible through the combination of resistance and adhesion to the surface. The copper based  electroconductive paints normally provides a good level of conductivity over longer distances. However, over time the powdered copper metal tends to become coated with a thin layer of oxide.

To avoid this issue, Cromas has developed a special process in the manufacturing of this paint that will activate the surface and eliminate the oxide that builds up on the surface. The results is a higher level of electrical conductivity.  This level of conductivity is more similar to the high conductivity of silver-coated surfaces but at a much lower cost.

This paint is suitable for dissipating electrostatic charges, but it can also be used to activate or deactivate sensors or switches.

An important study was made in the search for a polymeric matrix resin with less conductive interference. This resin has a resistance that is greater when the surface is longer and there is less material on the surface.

The resistance value in Ohms that we show is only for reference and the your results will depend on many factors such as:

  • The painted surface
  • How much paint is applied as a dried finish
  • The application method such as spraying or brushing

It is important to test the application process and the resistance of the surface in a controlled environment. The application with a spray gun allows the surface to be coated evenly for a greater level of conductivity.

We have made a short video where we demonstrate some properties of the electroconductive paint. The paint was applied on wood which is an excellent and isolated support material.

The video shows the low conductivity voltage achieved with two 1.5 volt alkaline batteries as they lit up the LED diodes.

The current Cromas product is solvent-based for professional use. We are currently researching a version without solvents for application on walls and other surfaces where it is not possible to use solvent-based paints.

SV102AF02 Graphite Based Electroconductive Paint

The graphite based paint provides a low electrically conductive paint that is much less conductive than the copper based paint. If the copper based paint can be 10 Ohm over 10 cm, the graphite based paint can be 10-100 kΩ each over 10 cm. This will depend on the many variables including the thickness of the dried paints.

In the development of the graphite based paint, a lot of attention was focused on the resin in the formula to avoid interference and to choose a graphite material that was ground a room temperature versus in a cold environment. These low conductive paints are mostly used to dissipate electrostatic charges from non-conductive materials or from electromagnetic fields.

Silver Based Electroconductive Paint

The silver based electroconductive paint is actually composed of silver coated microspheres. This material is not currently used by Cromas because it is very expensive when compared to electroconductive properties. However, with the new surface activation process developed for the copper based paint, the Cromas R&D laboratory has obtained satisfactory electroconductive performance at a lower cost which has been tested and approved by our clients.

Frequently Asked Questions about Electrically Conductive paints

WHAT IS THE USE FOR AN ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT?

This paint is generally used to make a non-conductive material or surface electrically conductive

It also can be used to:

  • Download or dissipate electrostatic charges from surfaces or equipment
  • Create a simple circuit that can activate switches or signals and to make a moderate level of heat
  • Galvanize a surface that otherwise could not be treated

WHAT MATERIALS CAN THE PAINT BE APPLIED ON?

Depending on the paint on the surface, in general most plastics such as  ABS, ABS-PC, Nylon, Bachelite, epoxy or Polyurethane resins, wood, and glass with an adhesion promoter

HOW DOES THE ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT WORK?

The function of the paint is simple but can be difficult to understand. In the paint, the particles that conduct electricity are blocked by a polymer matrix. Once dried, these conductive particles need to connect as much as possible to create a stable electrical conductivity. The polymer matrix and the additives in the formula must create as little electrical interference as possible.

WHAT IS THE RESISTANCE AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DRIED PAINT?

We get many different requests from clients because there are many different electrical projects where our paints can be used. Because we do not know the specifics of your operation, we suggest that you order the paint for testing in your environment.

IS THE DRIED SURFACE OF THE COPPER BASED PAINT RESISTANT OR DOES IT REQUIRE A PROTECTIVE TOPCOAT?

The dried copper surface is similar to real copper. It is soft and can oxidize in the right environment. If the dried surface is used outdoors or it must be resistant to rubbing, humidity, cleaning, etc. it must be protected with a epoxy resin or suitable epoxy or acrylic paint. In this case, contact our office to discuss your requirements.

CAN THE COPPER BASED ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT BE SOLDERED WITH TIN?

From our testing, the dried surface can not be soldered with SnPb 60/40 alloy that was widely used before RoHS regulations or with its Pb-free substitute.

CAN YOU TRANSFORM ANY PAINT INTO A CONDUCTIVE PAINT?

Almost any paint can be made into a weak conductive paint (in the range of MΩ – GΩ), but electroconductive paints are developed with special technical characteristics to make it high or low conductive.

CAN METALLIC OR SILVER PAINTS CONDUCT ELECTRICITY?

The easy answer is no. Metallic paints do not have any of the materials to make it conductive.

WHICH COLOURS CAN BE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE?

Cromas has two colours of electroconductive paint. The copper based is a darker copper colour and the graphite based paint is black. If you add coloured pigments to the formula, this can impact the electroconductive properties. There are some colored synthetic conductive materials that are light in colour, but Cromas has not tested these materials.

IS MICA A CONDUCTOR?

The Mica mineral itself is not a conductive material. There are treated or synthetic materials that have conductive properties depending on how the conductive materials are coated.

HOW TO APPLY THE ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT?

Apply the paint on treated surfaces by spray gun, brush and sometimes immersion. It is necesary to check the adhesion on the treated support before beginning industrial production.

DOES THE ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT GENERATE HEAT?

The highly conductive copper based paint can generate heat. It is important to test the product and pay attention to not over heat the material because the polymeric material can cause combustion.

HOW TO INSULATE THE ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT?

The best insulators are epoxy resins and epoxy paints. Cromas has a varierty of these paint that can be used in many applications.

CAN THE COPPER BASED ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT REPLACE COPPER WIRE OR CIRCUIT BOARDS?

No, the copper based electroconductive paint can be used where a low thickness is needed or on a non-conductive surface. One difference between the products is that pure copper has a resistance and this must be understood. For example, it is difficult to operate electric motors and other components that require the current (amperes) to flow through the product much like LED diodes.

To learn more about electrical conductivity, we suggest these links:

Electrical resistance and conductivity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistivity_and_conductivity

Physics of electrical conductivity: https://www.britannica.com/science/electrical-conductivity

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