Fused Silver Conductive Material for Low Resistance Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive materials produced using existing methods have high electric resistance due to non-fused silver particles and rely on resin adhesion, which is unstable and prone to degradation, leading to poor bonding strength and increased resistance over time.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heating a conductive material composition with full-cured or semi-cured thermosetting resin and silver particles to fuse the silver particles, reducing electric resistance and enhancing bonding strength through metal bonding, while using a thermoplastic or semi-cured resin to maintain flexibility and reduce resin content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional conductive paste with thermosetting resin is used to achieve adhesion, then bonding strength is improved, but electric resistance increases and conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidelectric conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of silver particles from discrete particles to fused state through controlled heating, transforming the conduction mechanism from particle-to-particle contact to continuous metal bonding. This parameter change in the aggregation state of conductive material resolves the contradiction by achieving both adhesion (through resin) and high conductivity (through fused silver)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where thermosetting resin provides adhesion and bonding strength while fused silver particles provide electrical conductivity. The composite combines the advantages of both materials: the resin matrix for mechanical strength and the continuous silver phase for electrical conduction, resolving the trade-off between bonding strength and conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If silver particles are made dense through resin curing to allow current flow, then conductivity is improved, but metal bonding does not occur and resistance remains high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric conductivityVSAvoidmetal bonding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of silver particles from solid discrete particles to fused metallic state through controlled heating below the melting point. This phase transition enables metal bonding between particles, creating continuous conductive paths and achieving both high conductivity and strong metal bonding simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Strength

If resin content is increased to improve adhesion and bonding, then bonding strength is improved, but electric resistance increases due to more interstices between metal particles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidelectric resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the state of silver particles from discrete to fused through heating, which eliminates the need for high resin content. The fused silver particles create continuous conductive paths independent of resin matrix density, allowing low resin content to provide both adhesion and high conductivity without the trade-off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If conventional conductive adhesive is used for surface mounting, then adhesion to electrodes is improved, but metal particles are not fused and bonding strength decreases over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion to electrodeVSAvoidbonding durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies controlled heating to induce phase transition and fusion of silver particles, creating strong metal bonds that are durable over time. This thermal processing step transforms the adhesive joint from a purely resin-based connection to a metal-bonded connection, significantly improving long-term bonding durability while maintaining initial adhesion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method produces conductive materials with significantly lower electric resistance (≤4.0×10^-5 Ω·cm) and improved bonding strength, stability, and flexibility, reducing delamination and resistance variation over time.

Implementation Method 1

heating a conductive material composition to fuse the silver particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

silver particles are fused when heated to a certain temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP2407980B1Method for producing conductive material, conductive material obtained by the same method, electronic device containing the conductive material, and light-emitting device
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 NICHIA CORP
  • EP2407980B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2407980B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2407980B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a conductive material that has a low electric resistance and that is obtained using an inexpensive and stable conductive material composition. A conductive material having a low electric resistance can be obtained by a method including the step of heating a conductive material composition that contains at least one of a full-cured or semi-cured thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin, as well as silver particles. Such a conductive material is a conductive material that includes fused silver particles, and thermosetting resin fine particles that have an average particle diameter of 0.1 µm to 10 µm both inclusive and are dispersed in the fused silver particles. Further, in such a conductive material is a conductive material that includes fused silver particles, and a thermoplastic resin welded among the fused silver particles.