Printing conductive layers using waterless offset technology considering the influences of the low-viscosity polymer inks and the rubber blankets

Abstract

This study describes the application of conductive polymer inks onto PET foils by the waterless offset printing technique. Commercially available conductive polymer inks were employed, which exhibit significantly lower viscosities than conventional offset printing inks. The main focus was put on the influence of the rubber blanket, which covers the blanket cylinder of the offset printing unit, on the morphology and electrical properties of the printed conductive polymer layers. Since film splitting occurs between substrate and rubber blanket, the latter affects the amount of ink which is transferred by the printing process. The wet film thickness of the printed material was determined for different rubber blanket specifications and inking rates. In addition, the resistivity of the printed conductive polymer layer was measured after flue-curing of the samples. Further, the electrical performance on corona-treated and untreated PET substrate foils was compared.