Printed Electronics Using Polymer Pastes At Würth Elektronik
WÜRTH ELEKRONIK is using Printed Polymere as an alternative to assembly
Reducing the overall height and size of an assembly requires increased integration of functionalities into the printed circuit board. Based on conductive polymers, flat components such as robust contact areas, intelligent connection systems or complex resistors can be realized on the inner and outer layers.
Printed polymer technology can be used to realize the following components and applications:
- Keyboards
- Switches
- Resistors
The latter can be placed on the inner and outer layers. The possible applications range from pull-up/pull-down resistors to voltage dividers, potentiometers, pulse resistors and heaters.
This technology is used in the automotive, medical, building, household and security technology sectors as well as in commercial vehicles.
Advantages of Würth Elektronik Printed Polymer Technology
Know How Basics
- The print is used as a passivation of the copper to prevent from oxidization and to achieve a constant contact resistance during the lifetime.
- The contact resistance is influenced by the contact material and the contact pressure and is normally < 20 Ω.
- Two areas with a different electrical potential are shorted by conductive rubber mats or metal contact springs.
- Switches are used with sliding contacts; two contact areas of different electrical potentials are shorted by the slider.
Printed Polymere Basics
• Printed resistors are built by printing a polymer ink with a specific conductivity between to copper pads.
• The thickness of the resistors is 20 μm in standard.
• Resistance values outside the typical values can also be implemented in agreement.
• With an adjustment of the resistors by laser trimming a lower tolerance can be reached.
Cross Link to Original Printed Polymer Site
- Contact the Würth experts
- Download the Design Rules etc.