conductive traces on plastic

[jrcfg]

Does anyone now how conductive traces are put on plastic? Is it an inkjet or screen print process? I was considering using a silver pen and just drawing them but am not sure if it would stick or if the traces would crack or separate when I bend the plastic. (The application is a flexible sense electrode to be used with QProx touch sensor IC's) Thx

[haklesup]

In production, they are probably silk-screened.<p>Silver pen might work (not knowing what plastic or how much bend. You might try coating the wire with nail polish (if not flexing too much) or silicone caulk (insulative and very compliant) to protect it from the oxidation, scratches and flaking.<p>Mix some of that silver ink with a small amount of silicone caulk for a very flexible ink. The resistance may be somewhat high but a sensor usually has very little current so might not be a problem for your application.<p>You'll need to experiment a little to get it right.

[Chris Smith]

Any silicon used should not have acetic acid in it. House hold calks that smell like vinegar shouldn’t be used. They make pure silicone for the electronics business, as well as silicone grease.

[jwax]

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/etron ... lectronics
Courtesy of GIS.

[jrcfg]

Thanks for the tips...the Dow link was very good. Thanks again.