Donald Allen Bolon

Radiation Curable Conductive Ink

A radiation curable, screen printable conductive ink has been developed for use on thermoplastic circuit boards. The fast application and cure of this solventless material allow mass production of low cost circuits suitable for use with systems that can tolerate higher resistance. In one application, a photoflash array, Flipflash, utilizes a piezoelectric crystal to provide the high voltage necessary to overcome the resistance of the system. The conductive medium in this ink was identified from a wide range of available materials. It allows a rapid radiation cure of the binder which provides excellent adhesion and circuit stability.

Evaporation control of monomers from solventless resin compositions

Abstract Evaporation of monomers such as styrene or methyl methacrylate from thin films of polymer/monomer blends or films of pure monomers can be eliminated by the addition of small amounts of an n-paraffin. The paraffin or wax must be selected so that it is soluble during application but is sufficiently insoluble to form a film at the liquid/air interface. Optimum evaporation control over a narrow temperature range can be obtained with a specific n-paraffin and over a wider range with a combination of paraffins or waxes at temperatures up to 60°C.

Inhibition of chloride induced destruction of silver coated glass bead conductive circuits

Conductive circuits formulated from silver coated glass beads and a binder resin occasionally fail when exposed to moderate heat and high humidity in a test simulating a tropical climate. The failure appears as a dark area on the circuit where the silver has been converted to a non-conducting form. We have identified one cause of this failure.

Radiation curable conductive ink

General Electric has developed a photoflash array with many new features of technological interest. These include a new piezo-electric high voltage ignition system, a new lamp design with no filament, a radiation triggered switch, and a novel, low cost circuit board.