Conductive coatings have many benefits, from adaptability to rapid scalability. They are typically comprised of 25 percent solids of non-oxidizing copper which is what lends the surface its conductivity. Let’s explore how conductive coatings work and why you should choose it in your product designs.

What are Conductive Coatings?

First off, conductive coatings allow an electric current to run over the surface of a non-conductive material. When creating silicone keypads, conductivity is vital. You may already know that silicone rubber is an insulator of electricity; however, when you press a key, it’s crucial that those electric signals can effectively communicate on the other side of the rubber. This is where conductive coatings are useful.

Technically speaking, conductive coatings are an effective way to either impede electrostatic charging or to secure rapid dissipation of accumulated charges, according to Science Direct.

Here at SiTECH, each keypad we make is designed for a unique and specific application. Through the use of a conductive silicone coating for your product, you are assured that your keypad is functioning in the best manner possible, in every situation.

We use SiCoat V, our own wear resistant conductive coating offering a homogeneous cross link bond to all of our silicone keypad products. This coating is designed to work with our proprietary screened silicone inks, adhesive primer, liquid injection molding process, and abrasion- and chemical-resistant coatings so you can better meet your product requirements.

Conductive coatings are ideal for use in these industries and more:

• Medical devices
• Laboratory instrumentation
• Telecommunications
• Industrial equipment
• Point of sales
• Electronics
• Automotive
• Military
• Aerospace
• Machinery

Benefits

There are many advantages to conductive coatings, especially ours, including:

• Adaptability to a wide range of product designs and part sizes.
• Low-cost design solution.
• Ease of use.
• Flexibility during production.
• Rapid scalability for volume production, minimizing capital investment.
• Low contact resistance.
• Homogeneous cross link for permanent bond.
• Design flexibility for different conductive pad shapes and uneven surfaces.
• E.M.I. shielding.
• No flaking or chipping.

With strong adhesion, conductive coatings can quickly cover the surface area and be resprayed if need be (such as in the case of building to a desired thickness or to ensure total coverage in hard-to-reach areas). Plus, in terms of small production runs or prototypes, the conductive coating may be applied by hand using a high volume, low pressure paint gun or air gun. If there is a need for selective coating, certain areas of the surface can be masked off – translating to a more simple process over consecutive plating dips or costly vacuum systems.

Contact Si-Tech

To learn more about our conductive coatings and how they can help you create products within your industry, contact us at 757-887-8488.