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What is PCB ink?

Introduction

Printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing relies on depositing and

patterning conductive materials to form the traces and features that carry

signals and power. The conductive pastes and liquids used to create these

circuit patterns are referred to as PCB inks.

PCB inks consist of conductive particles suspended in an adhesive

formulation. After deposition and curing, these inks make up the copper

circuitry that connects components on a PCB. This article provides an

in-depth overview of PCB inks including:

 Composition and properties of typical PCB inks

 Different ink types and characteristics

 PCB fabrication processes utilizing inks

 New developments in ink formulations

 Advantages of ink-based circuit fabrication

 Considerations when selecting and applying inks

 Examples of practical PCB ink applications

Understanding PCB ink technologies and capabilities allows engineers to

consider the optimal materials and processes to fulfill circuit fabrication

needs.

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Composition of PCB Inks

PCB inks contain two primary constituents:

Metal Particles – Small conductive metal particles, typically copper or silver,

make up 50-90% of an ink’s mass. The key properties of the metal particles

include:

 High intrinsic conductivity

 Purity – oxygen-free highly pure metals

 Particle shape – spherical, flakes or mixtures

 Particle size distribution – sub-micron to tens of microns

 Oxidation resistance – for stable shelf life

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Adhesive Matrix – A polymer binder adheres the metal particles together

and bonds the cured ink to the substrate. Key properties include:

 Solvent compatibility – soluble for deposition

 Cure chemistry – thermal, UV, moisture, catalyst

 Flexibility – maintains conductivity during bending

 Adhesion strength – bond to substrates

 Decomposition temperature – for operating range

The proportions and properties of these two components fundamentally

define the performance of a PCB ink. Different ink types make trade-offs

between these constituents to achieve specific characteristics.

Types of PCB Inks

There are several varieties of PCB inks formulated for different

applications and processes:

Silver Flake Inks

 High solid loading (60-85%) of silver flakes

 Low curing temperature

 Best electrical conductivity but higher cost

Copper Particle Inks

 Moderate solid loading (50-60%) of copper

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 Low oxidation provides optimal stability

 Lower cost than silver but higher resistance

Nano Copper Inks

 Copper nanoparticles under 100nm

 Enables low-temperature sintering

 High electrical performance

Nano Silver Inks

 Extremely fine (<50nm) silver particles

 Lower curing temperature while maintaining conductivity

 Printable using inkjet methods

Carbon Inks

 Small graphite or carbon black particles

 Lower conductivity than silver/copper

 Often used for resistive elements

Each ink type exhibits trade-offs between performance, process

compatibility, shelf life and cost.

PCB Fabrication Processes Using Inks

PCB inks serve different roles across common fabrication processes:

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Printed Electronics

 Inkjet, aerosol, screen and pad printing all deposit tracks

 Low-temperature curing forms circuits

Conformal Printed Circuits

 Inks printed on 3D surface

 Enable flexible physiques

Flexible Circuits

 Inks cured on polyimide substrates

 Withstand bending and flexing

Additive Circuit Formation

 Inks printed on PCB substrates

 Add high density interconnects

Selective Plating

 Ink masking layer defines plating areas

 Removed after plating

EMI Shielding

 Conductive inks add shielding to enclosures

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 Protects electronics

Inks provide versatility across diverse PCB manufacturing processes

spanning printed electronics to plating to conformal circuits and more.

Advances in PCB Ink Formulations

solder mask

Ongoing research and development continues expanding PCB ink

capabilities through:

Lower Curing Temperature

 Enables printing on temperature-sensitive substrates

 Prevents component damage during curing

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Finer Particles

 Reduces required curing temperature

 Provides higher resolution printing

Hybrid Particle Shapes

 Tailor viscosity, densification and sintering

 Optimize printing and electrical characteristics

Graphene Inks

 Imparts flexibility, thermal conduction

 Potential for lower costs

Copper and Nickel Inks

 Alternatives to costly silver inks

 Nearly matching electrical properties

Biocompatible Inks

 Non-toxic inks for medical electronics

 Avoid harm to patients

Innovation in ink chemistry and materials science unlocks new potential

applications.

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Considerations When Selecting PCB Inks

Key considerations when choosing a PCB ink include:

Printing Method

 Inks are formulated specifically for deposition techniques

 Screen, inkjet, aerosol and other printing

Substrate Material

 Adhesion strength varies with substrates

 CTE matching prevents delamination

Curing Requirements

 Ink curing method must match equipment

 Temperature, UV, moisture, catalyst

Print Resolution

 Particle size distribution affects achievable features

 Finer particles enable smaller printed details

Shelf Life

 Particle oxidation resistance impacts usable life

 Refrigeration prolongs life

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Operating Environment

 Temperature, humidity, mechanical stresses

 Ink must maintain performance across conditions

Properly matched ink, process and substrate produces optimal results.

PCB Ink Application Examples

Here are some examples of practical PCB ink applications:

Flexible Circuits

 Silver polymer thick film ink printed on polyimide

 Withstands repeated bending for wearable device

Conformal Antenna

 Aerosol printed copper ink on curved surface

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 Enables non-planar smart device communication

Automotive Sensors

 Copper ink printed circuits on polymer housing

 Integrates PCBs into modules

Medical Patches

 Biocompatible silver/graphene ink circuits

 Adheres to skin for health monitoring

EMI Shielding

 Silver ink applied inside device enclosure

 Protects electronics from interference

Heater Elements

 Highly resistive carbon ink printed on glass

 Provides localized transparent heating

These examples illustrate the diversity of possibilities using printed inks

for circuit fabrication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions that arise regarding PCB inks:

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Q: What is the main trade-off between silver and copper inks?

Silver inks provide higher conductivity but at a higher raw materials cost,

while copper offers a more affordable option with slightly higher

resistivity.

Q: What are some methods used to deposit PCB inks?

Common methods include screen printing, inkjet printing, aerosol printing,

flexographic printing and syringe dispensing.

Q: How small of circuit features can be produced using PCB inks?

The finest features range from 10-50 microns depending on the printing

process resolution, particle sizes, and post-printing curing approach used.

Q: Do PCB ink patterns require plating for most applications?

Often yes, plating improves conductivity and durability. But some

applications like embedded heating elements can utilize printed ink-only

circuits.

Q: What are the shelf life considerations for PCB inks?

Shelf life varies based on formulation, with silver flake inks lasting 1-3

years refrigerated. Use within 6 months is recommended for optimal

results.

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Conclusion

PCB inks enable versatile printed circuit fabrication techniques spanning

printed electronics, EMI shielding, heaters, sensors, and more. As ink

formulations and printing processes continue advancing, ink-based circuit

manufacturing empowers new design possibilities and applications.

Understanding the composition, types, processes and properties of these

conductive inks allows engineers to take full advantage of their capabilities

and expand the horizons for PCB innovation.

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