Copper Based Electroconductive Paint Lights Up LED Diodes

Electroconductive paint

Paints That Make Materials Electrically Conductive

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

  • Paint with a High Electroconductive 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.

We have made a short video to demonstrate some properties of the Electroconductive Copper 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 light up the LED diodes.

SV388 ZERO-OHM Electroconductive Paint with a Copper Base 

This paint creates a real electroconductive path 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. This level of conductivity is similar to the high conductivity of silver-coated surfaces but at a much lower cost.

It has been seen that some copper metal powders tend to become coated with a thin layer of oxide over time. To avoid this issue, Cromas has developed a special process for the manufacturing of this paint that will activate the surface and eliminate the oxide build up on the surface. The results is a higher level of electrical conductivity.

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

The resistance value in Ohms 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.

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.

SV102AF01 Graphite Based Electroconductive Paint

The graphite based paint is a low electrically conductive paint that are mostly used to dissipate electrostatic charges from non-conductive materials or from electromagnetic fields.

For this reason, the graphite paint 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 dried thickness of the paint.

In the development of the graphite paint, a lot of attention was focused on the resin to avoid interference along with choosing a graphite material where the grinding of the powder was at room temperature versus in a cold environment.

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 our 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?

In general, most plastics such as ABS, ABS-PC, Nylon, Bakelite, Epoxy or Polyurethane resins, Wood, and Glass with an adhesion promoter

HOW DOES THE ELECTROCONDUCTIVE PAINT WORK?

In the conductive 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 or resistance as possible.

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

Because there are many different electrical projects where our paints can be used. And 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. We suggest to protected the material with an epoxy resin or suitable epoxy or acrylic paint. 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, roller, and sometimes immersion. It is necessary 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 variety of these products that can be used in many applications.

CAN THE COPPER PAINT REPLACE COPPER WIRE OR CIRCUIT BOARDS?

No, the copper based electroconductive paint can be used only where low thickness is needed or on a non-conductive surface.

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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