Henkel highlights focus on printed electronic material solutions

Being introduced to show delegates at LOPEC booth B0 401 and Printed Electronics booth #H06, are Loctite ECI 7004 HR, Loctite ECI 7004 LR and Loctite ECI 7002. The suite of materials comprises a portfolio of customisable force sensitive inks that offer varying and controllable ranges of electrical resistance based on the required sensitivity level of the application.

Henkel’s force sensitive inks are a big leap forward for many products, where traditional designs were developed to accommodate a response to force in general. Now, with the new Loctite materials, varying levels of force alter the material’s conductivity and, therefore, the device’s response. Computer touch pads, medical diagnostic systems, inventory control shelving and containers, music and entertainment devices, as well as industrial products, benefit from force sensitive functionality.

With many of today’s products demanding more current carrying capacity in smaller footprints, the need for highly conductive materials is greater than ever before. To address current performance requirements, miniaturisation trends and cost objectives, Henkel has developed Loctite ECI 1010 and Loctite ECI 1011 high-conductivity silver inks.

Formulated with a broad range of electrical conductivity, the Loctite inks allow design flexibility and optimised material use. Compared to previous-generation inks, Loctite ECI 1010 and Loctite ECI 1011 have double the conductivity, which allows finer feature printing while offering excellent current carrying performance and lower costs through less material usage. Loctite ECI 1010 has high conductivity (sheet resistance of 5-7mΩ/sq/25μm) combined with excellent mechanical strength and flexibility, while Loctite ECI 1011 allows for printing of exceptionally thin lines – as thin as 1µm with flexographic printing – in a formula with a sheet resistance of 2-3mΩ/sq/25μm.

Both materials dry quickly and are well-suited for traditional printed electronic applications such as heaters, membrane switches, keyboards, identification labels and flexible PCBs used in the white goods, automotive and consumer sectors. Because of its very high conductivity, Loctite ECI 1011 also allows a true additive manufacturing approach as an as alternative to etched metal solutions.

In addition to the product displays at LOPEC and Printed Electronics Europe, Henkel looks forward to sharing its formulation and process expertise with show delegates during presentations by Henkel’s Dr. Stijn Gillissen, Global Technical Market Manager for Printed Electronics. On April 7^th at 11:00 a.m. in LOPEC’s Technology Forum, Gillissen will deliver a paper entitled 'Inks for Printed, Flexible Heaters'. At the end of April, during Printed Electronics Europe, he is scheduled to discuss Henkel’s work on 'Novel Conductors and Adhesives for Printed Electronic Applications'. Gillisen’s presentation will take place on April 28^th during the New Materials and New Possibilities session at 11:40 a.m. in Room 3.