- Enabling Fine Wire Printing at 30 Micrometers and Less, with Potential to Further Improve Transparency and Flexibility for Electronic Devices Such as Displays and Next-generation Automotive Window Defoggers -
TOKYO, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K., which operates the TANAKA Precious Metals manufacturing business under the wing of TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd., announced on October 15 that TANAKA has developed low-temperature sintering nano-silver paste for printed wiring (https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/products/detail/sintering-agpaste-for-print/) optimized for screen printing (*1) and that samples are currently available.
This product enables miniaturization and improved bending resistance of wiring for use in screen printing, which is a mainstream printing method used in the field of printed electronics (*2). For this reason, it is expected to be widely used for flexible devices such as smartphones and wearable devices that need bending resistance and for improving transparency in window defoggers and other products for which demand will grow as electric vehicles become more popular.
Nano-silver paste for screen printing:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106848/202110121488/_prw_PI1fl_1v1rP989.jpg
Wires printed on bendable organic substrate:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106848/202110121488/_prw_PI2fl_4R4rHjRm.jpg
Product Features
Normally, the limit for printing wires in the screen printing process is about 50 micrometers in width. However, by combining suitable printers and screens with this paste, it is possible to print fine wires (30 micrometers and less) directly onto glass, which is a difficult medium for fine line printing, and onto other materials such as PET film (*3) and green sheets (*4). This will enable higher performance and improved productivity for electronic devices that require transparency, including window defoggers for next-generation vehicles and transparent antennas for 5G applications.
Wires printed on PET film and other bendable organic substrates (100 micrometers printed wiring) were proven to show zero breakage over 100,000 cycles when subjected to a bending test with a bending radius of 0.5 mm. This product is therefore expected to be used for flexible devices such as smartphones and wearable devices that need both flexibility and durability.
When sintered at heating temperatures of around 90 C, wires have a resistance value below 10 microohm-cm, giving this product unusually low resistance even for low-temperature sintered nano-silver paste.
Straight line pattern printing on glass:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106848/202110121488/_prw_PI3fl_heliM9Xr.jpg
Packaging pattern printing on green sheet:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106848/202110121488/_prw_PI4fl_3gKAJa9M.jpg
This printing paste consists of nano and submicron silver particles suited to screen printing, which is the most common printing method used in the field of printed electronics. The paste was successfully developed to create wires with good resistance to bending and improved screen printing performance through particle size control, solvent selection, and additives like polymer compounds to optimize it for screen printing. The use of fine wiring in screen printing, which is a general printing process, is also expected to deliver improved productivity.
As a result of these advantages, this product is expected to contribute greatly to a range of electronic devices that will contribute to the IoT (internet of things) society, from fine wire heating technologies that prevent glass fogging (a need that is expected to increase as electric vehicles become more popular) to healthcare-related wearable devices and 5G-oriented transparent antennas that do not compromise the view.
Samples of the product are already available with the aim of starting mass production before the end of 2022.
Notes:
(*1) Screen printing:
Used in the process of manufacturing printed wiring boards, electronic components, flat panel displays, vehicle meters, and other devices, this is an essential printing method in the field of electronics.
(*2) Printed electronics:
This technology, employing functional inks and various printing technologies, is used in the manufacture of electronic devices on glass and polymer substrates. Used in products such as organic electroluminescent (EL) displays, wearable devices, sensors, digital signage, and electronic paper, it is a promising basic technology for creating the IoT society.
(*3) PET film:
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film is polymer film with outstanding heat resistance and strength. It is used to protect the surface of devices like liquid crystal TVs, as backlight reflective film for devices like notebook computers, and as a substrate for wearable devices.
(*4) Green sheets:
These ceramic substrates, in a flexible unfired state, are used for circuit boards.
About TANAKA Precious Metals
Since its foundation in 1885, TANAKA Precious Metals has built a diversified range of business activities focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals handled. Over the course of many years, TANAKA has not only manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry but also provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and around the world collaborate and cooperate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a range of products and services. With 5,193 employees, the group's consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, were 1,425.6 billion yen.
- Global industrial business website
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/
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