Polymer Thick Film Silver Conductor Low Temperature Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive polymer thick film (PTF) conductors exhibit inferior properties when dried at 80°C, which is inadequate for applications requiring low-temperature curing, especially on substrates like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) that cannot withstand temperatures above 90°C, as they do not match the optimal properties achieved at 130°C.
Innovation Solution
A polymer thick film conductor composition comprising 30-90 wt% silver powder dispersed in an organic medium of 10-70 wt% thermoplastic vinylidene difluoride/hexafluoro propylene copolymer resin dissolved in 40-90 wt% triethyl phosphate, which exhibits improved performance when dried at 80°C, achieving lower resistivity and good adhesion similar to that at 130°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical PTF conductor is dried at 130°C, then it exhibits optimum properties such as low resistivity and good adhesion, but it cannot be used on substrates that cannot withstand temperatures greater than 90°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the organic medium by incorporating specific solvents (carbonate esters, carboxylic acid esters, and cyclic carbonate) and binders in controlled ratios. This compositional parameter change enables the conductor to achieve optimal performance at lower drying temperatures (80-90°C) while maintaining low resistivity and good adhesion, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance optimization and temperature constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite organic medium system combining multiple solvent types (carbonate esters, carboxylic acid esters, cyclic carbonates) with specific binders. This composite material approach allows the conductor formulation to achieve both low-temperature processability and high-performance electrical properties, enabling use on temperature-sensitive substrates while maintaining optimum conductor characteristics
2Temperature
If a typical PTF conductor is dried at 80°C, then it can be used on temperature-sensitive substrates, but the resulting properties are inferior and not acceptable for functional circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the organic medium by selecting specific solvent ratios (carbonate esters 20-40 wt%, carboxylic acid esters 10-30 wt%, cyclic carbonate 10-30 wt%) and binder content (5-20 wt%). These parameter changes enable the conductor to achieve low resistivity and good adhesion at 80°C drying temperature, making inferior performance acceptable and enabling functional circuitry on temperature-sensitive substrates
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 composition provides excellent resistivity and adhesion when dried at 80°C, matching the performance of typical PTF conductors dried at 130°C, making it suitable for low-temperature applications on substrates that cannot withstand higher temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
10-60 wt% thermoplastic vinylidene difluoride/hexafluoro propylene copolymer resin dissolved in 40-90 wt% organic solvent consisting of triethyl phosphate
Implementation Method 2
When a typical PTF conductor is dried at 130°C, it exhibits optimum properties... When a typical PTF conductor is dried at 80°C, the resulting properties are inferior
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to a polymer thick film conductor composition that provides a better conductor when dried at 80°C than when dried at 130°C, in contrast to typical PTF conductors. More specifically, the polymer thick film conductor may be used in applications where low temperature curing is required.