When it comes to paints, they are no longer simply being used in order to colour surfaces but are taking on a whole range of other functions as well. These days, increasingly complex compositions are allowing for paints and coatings to take on many different purposes, such as sanitisation, scuff prevention and even thermal management and conductivity. Conductive paints and sprays can be used to enhance the properties of a product and protect its internal components both from outside sources and other elements within the product itself. This is particularly useful in electronics and machinery, where electrical components come into close contact with the rest of the product.

How Do Conductive Coatings Work?

Conductive coatings often consist of a standard coating with a conductive material inside. The material will either act to increase or decrease the electrical current or heat that reaches the coated product, allowing it to either be conductive or thermal. Once dry, conductive paints can form a shield around a product or its components, which prevents induction or radiation. The conductive pigments must be dispersed throughout the paint using specialised machinery which ensures the consistency and spread of the particles. If you are seeking an electric conductive coatings company for your business, there are professional services available who can provide the latest technology and expertise.

Common Uses

Conductive coatings can be utilised to protect electronic parts from interference in the form of radio waves or electromagnetic fields. This is often useful in the creation of portable electronic devices as a cheap and easy way to improve functionality. They are often used in cases where anti-static protection is required, for example when painting an aircraft. They can also be utilised in the inks for printed circuits and in photocopiers to help with thermal dissipation when copying. Likewise, they can be useful for thermal management devices such as air conditioners and heaters.

Common Types of Conductive Coatings

Traditionally, conductive coatings consisted of metals such as nickel, copper, gold or silver, or minerals such as graphite. They can often come in spray form, where metal powder is added to the resin in order to create conductive properties. More recently, graphene has become popular as a conductive coating and anti-corrosive. This form of carbon is incredibly strong and shatter resistant, making it excellent for a range of different uses. In addition, graphene is incredibly thin and light which means it does not affect the look of a product when applied, making it increasingly the most popular product on the market. It is far cheaper than expensive materials such as silver and gold, meaning that it can be applied to large products such as aircrafts.

With modern advancements in science, conductive coatings are becoming an increasingly important element in manufacturing electronics and machinery. They now offer a cost-effective way to enhance the way that items function or protect them from outside interference.