Steve Paschky | Saralon GmbH: How do you cure printed copper ink to achieve high conductivity without severe oxidation?
00:11:30 - 00:12:11
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How do you cure printed copper ink to achieve high conductivity without severe oxidation?
Achieving low sheet resistance in printed copper inks has historically required curing in inert atmospheres to prevent severe oxidation. Saralon's solvent-based copper paste overcomes this limitation through a specialized two-step curing process designed for standard manufacturing lines. To reach a highly competitive sheet resistance of 17 milliohms per square, the printed ink undergoes an initial thermal cure at 150°C for five minutes, followed by a rapid hot press step at 180°C for 30 seconds.
A primary concern with printed copper is long-term chemical stability under ambient conditions. Because copper is prone to oxidation when exposed to air and moisture, maintaining stable resistivity over time is critical for device longevity. Test data reveals that Saralon's cured copper traces experience only a minimal 2% decrease in conductivity over the first 40 days, after which the electrical properties remain completely stable.
This dual-step thermal and mechanical sintering approach creates a dense, highly conductive metallic network with self-limiting surface oxidation. By avoiding the need for expensive nitrogen-purged ovens, this chemistry allows manufacturers to easily deploy low-cost copper traces using conventional, air-ambient screen printing and curing systems.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The specific time, temperature, and pressure parameters required to achieve a sheet resistance of 17 mΩ/sq.
* How a specialized hot press step prevents the severe ambient oxidation typically associated with copper inks.
* The long-term stability profile of printed copper traces showing minimal electrical drift over a 40-day test period.
📋 **Clip Abstract** Steve Paschky details the precise curing protocol and oxidation performance of Saralon's solvent-based copper ink. He explains how a combined thermal cure and hot-press sintering step yields highly stable, low-resistance copper traces in ambient air.
#CopperInk, #HotPressSintering, #AmbientSintering, #ConductivePaste, #PrintedElectronics, #FlexibleElectronics
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00:01:18 - 00:02:28
Why is the automotive industry abandoning flat control panels for 3D stretchable electronics?
How can printed electronics manufacturers capture their share of a projected multi-billion-dollar market as control interfaces transition from rigid mechanical switches to seamless, three-dimensional surfaces?
The market for stretchable electronics is undergoing a massive commercial expansion, with its global volume projected to surge from approximately half a billion US dollars today to an estimated 3.3 billion US dollars by 2032. This rapid trajectory represents a compound annual growth rate of roughly 23 percent, signaling a profound shift in how industries approach product design and electronic integration.
This commercial momentum is primarily propelled by the automotive sector and manufacturers of three-dimensional Human-Machine Interface (HMI) applications. Modern consumer expectations have moved away from traditional, tactile button-based control panels in favor of seamless, three-dimensional, and flexible control interfaces that can be integrated directly into complex, curved structural elements.
To meet these rigorous design and mechanical requirements, advanced material formulation is shifting toward fully compatible functional ink sets rather than isolated materials. Developing cohesive ink systems, such as specialized stretchable heater inks, allows manufacturers to deliver complete, robust material solutions that maintain electrical performance under mechanical deformation.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The projected market volume and compound annual growth rate for stretchable electronics leading up to 2032.
* The primary industries and application areas driving the transition toward three-dimensional, flexible control panels.
* The importance of developing fully compatible functional ink sets, including stretchable heater inks, to meet new manufacturing demands.
📋 **Clip Abstract** The speaker discusses the rapid market growth of stretchable electronics, which is projected to reach 3.3 billion US dollars by 2032 due to demand from the automotive and 3D HMI sectors. He explains that his company is addressing these new design requirements by introducing compatible functional ink sets, starting with stretchable heater inks.
🎤 Speaker: Steve Paschky
🏢 Company: Saralon
📅 Event: Additive, Sustainable or 3D Electronics Innovations Day 2025
📍 Location: TechBlick Online Platform
🌐 Learn more at the next TechBlick event: https://www.techblick.com
#ThermoformableConductiveInks, #CoFormulatedInkSets, #AutomotiveHMI, #3DStructuralElectronics, #InMoldElectronics, #PrintedElectronics
00:11:16 - 00:12:00
Can copper inks successfully replace expensive silver in next-generation perovskite solar cells?
Can copper inks successfully replace expensive silver in next-generation perovskite solar cells?
The printed electronics industry is facing a significant supply bottleneck due to the decreasing availability and soaring cost of silver. To maintain economic viability, material scientists are aggressively researching and developing alternative base-metal inks, specifically targeting copper-based formulations.
A key focus area for this transition is the field of perovskite solar cells, where stretchable and transparent electrodes are critical for flexible photovoltaics. European-funded initiatives are currently validating copper ink performance to replace traditional silver electrodes.
Transitioning to copper inks requires solving complex challenges related to oxidation and curing compatibility with sensitive perovskite layers. Overcoming these formulation hurdles will enable highly scalable, low-cost solar cell manufacturing independent of silver market volatility.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The economic drivers pushing the printed electronics industry to replace silver with copper.
* How copper inks are being integrated into European-funded perovskite solar cell research.
* The material challenges involved in formulating stretchable alternative metal electrodes.
📋 Clip Abstract: This clip discusses the market transition from silver to copper inks in response to supply shortages and rising raw material costs. The speaker highlights an active European project focused on integrating copper electrodes into perovskite solar cells.
#CopperInks, #PerovskiteSolarCells, #StretchableElectrodes, #FlexiblePhotovoltaics, #PrintedElectronics, #AdditiveElectronics
00:04:17 - 00:05:41
How do you engineer a heating system that can stretch over 300% without electrical failure?
How do you engineer a heating system that can stretch over 300% without electrical failure?
Developing robust stretchable surface heaters requires a complete, chemically compatible system rather than a single conductive ink. This integrated system relies on three distinct layers: high-conductivity silver, resistive carbon for heat generation, and a protective transparent dielectric barrier.
The formulation chemistry achieves remarkable mechanical performance, with the stretchable silver and transparent dielectric layers tolerating elongation levels exceeding 300 percent. The silver layer maintains a low sheet resistance of approximately 30 milliohms per square, while the carbon heating element stretches up to 100 percent.
Protecting printed functional layers from environmental factors like humidity is critical for long-term reliability in automotive interiors, healthcare devices, and sportswear. A stretchable, transparent dielectric coating is essential to seal and preserve the integrity of the underlying circuit during repeated mechanical strain.
In this short video, you can learn:
* The three essential ink layers required to print a fully functional stretchable surface heater.
* The elongation thresholds and sheet resistance values of advanced silver and carbon inks.
* Why a stretchable dielectric layer is crucial to protect printed electronics from ambient conditions.
📋 Clip Abstract: The speaker details the composition of an entire stretchable heater ink set, including a 300 percent stretchable silver conductor, a 100 percent stretchable carbon heating element, and a transparent dielectric. This compatible material system is engineered to withstand environmental moisture and high mechanical strain in demanding automotive and wearable applications.
#StretchableSurfaceHeaters, #StretchableConductiveInks, #StretchableDielectrics, #PrintedElectronics, #WearableElectronics, #AutomotiveInteriors